[Epidemiology of attempted suicide using drugs. An inquiry from the Dresden University Clinic].
OBJECTIVE
Little representative data of the epidemiology of attempted suicide exists in Germany. In this study the frequency of parasuicidal drug intoxication, the distribution of age and gender, as well as the kind and origin of used drugs were evaluated. Furthermore the knowledge about used drugs and possible adverse effects of a previously given medication were analysed.


METHODS
Over a period of 2 years (January 1998-December 1999) 155 patients (41 males, 114 females, average age 40.5 years) with drug intoxication by attempted suicide were recruited at the University Hospital of Dresden, Germany, for further retrospective analysis.


RESULTS
74 % of these patients were women. Sedatives and hypnotics were most frequently used for parasuicide (44 %), followed by analgesics (18 %) and antidepressants (12 %). Benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-agonists were the most commonly used drugs (32 %). Moreover, 80 % of all drugs used had been prescribed by physicians. Approximately half of the patients were well-informed about drugs taken. In 43 (47 %) of 92 patients with long-term medication an adverse effect was considered as a possible cause of the attempted suicide.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data underline the importance of attempted suicide in view of the frequency of their use, the need of hospitalization, the required intensive care and possible relapses. Because the majority of drugs used were prescribed by physicians, before giving any medication to their possible suicidal use should be considered.
BMBF Forschungsverbund Public Health Sachsen. ute.i.schwarz@vanderbilt.edu
U I
UI
Schwarz
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Rüder
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Krappweis
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Israel
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Kirch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000506:poisoning*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000819:agonists / Q000506:poisoning*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors
D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D001569:Benzodiazepines