Mortality and suicide after non-fatal self-poisoning: 16-year outcome study.
BACKGROUND
Suicide reduction is government strategy in many countries. We need to quantify the connection between non-fatal self-poisoning and eventual suicide.


OBJECTIVE
To determine mortality after an episode of self-poisoning and to identify predictors of death by any cause or by suicide.


METHODS
A retrospective single-group cohort study was undertaken with 976 consecutive patients attending a large accident and emergency unit in 1985-1986 after non-fatal self-poisoning. Information about deaths was determined from the Office for National Statistics.


RESULTS
Of the original patients, 94% were traced 16 years later; 17% had died, 3.5% by probable suicide. Subsequent suicide was related to numerous factors evident at the time of the episode of self-poisoning but, when examined for their independent effects, only the severity of the self-poisoning episode and relevant previous history seemed important.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients attending a general hospital after self-poisoning all require good basic assessment and care responsive to their needs. Attempts to reduce the huge excess of suicide subsequent to self-harm are not likely to achieve much if they are based on the identification of subgroups through'risk assessment'.
Owens
David
D
Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Leeds School of Medicine, 15 Hyde Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LT, UK. d.w.owens@leeds.ac.uk
Wood
Christopher
C
Greenwood
Darren C
DC
Hughes
Tom
T
Dennis
Michael
M
D002423:Cause of Death; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention