Factors Associated with Hospitalization after Suicide Spectrum Behaviors: Results from a Multicenter Study in Spain

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with hospital admission after suicide spectrum behaviors. Patients' characteristics, the nature of the suicidal behavior, admission rates between centers, and factors associated with admission have been examined in suicide spectrum presentations to emergency departments in 3 Spanish cities. The intent of the suicidal behavior had the greatest impact on hospitalization. Older age, living alone, self-harm method not involving drug overdose, previous history of suicide spectrum behaviors, and psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia, mood, or personality disorder were independently associated with being admitted. There was a 3-fold between-center difference in the rate of hospitalization. Widespread differences in the rate of hospitalization were primarily accounted for by characteristics of the individual patients and their suicidal behavior.

An Analysis of Suicide Attempts in Jaén Province (Andalusia-Spain)

“…Taking into account the method of choice according to gender, more than 65% of women who attempted suicide during the research period were discharged compared to 35% of men. In short, and in line with other studies (González-Navarro et al, 2012;Jiménez-Treviño et al, 2012), the findings reveal an urgent need to implement specific care procedures and plans of action in emergency departments in order to identify the level of severity in suicide attempts carried out by people who come to hospital following an attempt. This measure would undoubtedly reduce the number of suicide attempts that take place today in Jaén province.…”

“…For example, as suggested by other authors (Bobes-García et al, 2011;González-Navarro et al, 2012;Jiménez-Treviño et al, 2012), men probably use more lethal methods (jumping and head-banging in 75% of cases) as they are more determined when it comes to taking their own lives, whereas women may have another type of objective (attracting attention, a disguised call for help, etc.) which leads them to use less lethal methods (ingestion of toxic substances, 60.25%).…”

“…It is therefore particularly important to take into account the individual's age and any difficult situations they are likely to face in order to gauge the level of risk following a suicide attempt. This would not only help to determine a person's risk level having carried out a suicide attempt, but also reveal what age groups are especially at risk for suicide, in order to implement actions to prevent suicide attempt with greater urgency, as suggested by other authors (González-Navarro et al, 2012;Jiménez-Treviño et al, 2012).…”

“…In the case of Spain, the socio-demographic and epidemiological variables by region and healthcare district are highly heterogeneous in nature, making it difficult to establish a standardized plan of action (González-Navarro et al, 2012;Jiménez-Treviño et al, 2012).…”

Variables relacionadas con la tentativa suicida en una provincia de España durante tres años (2009-2011)

“…In fact, some studies identify separated or divorced individuals as being most at risk of making a suicide attempt 25 , whereas others suggest that the single population is the most at-risk group 26 or even that marital status has no bearing whatsoever on suicide attempt 8,27 . Other variables such as economic situation and unemployment have a decisive impact on completed suicide rates, especially in developed and developing countries 2,3,28 .…”