[Descriptive epidemiology of suicide in Spain (1906-1990)].
BACKGROUND
In Spain, suicide as a cause of death is increasing in different age groups in both sexes. The aim of the present work is to characterize the phenomenon of suicide.


METHODS
A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study was carried out. Data periodically published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on the statistical Incidence of Suicides in Spain (1906-1990) were analyzed, processed and tabulated.


RESULTS
Suicide increases with age and this increase is more pronounced as from 40 years of age. The ratio between sexes is 3:1 in favour of men, although with a tendency to decrease. The most important causes of suicide are: physical suffering (27%), psychopathy (18%) and Daily Activities (DA) (17.5%). The method most used is hanging, which has been the case of 37% of the suicides committed in Spain during the study period (1906-1990).


CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors associated with suicide are age, male sex, and physical and mental suffering.
Mirón Canelo
J A
JA
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca.
Sáenz González
M C
MC
Blanco Montagut
L
L
Fernández Martín
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*