title: Clinical features of suicide attempts in adults with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and clinical features of suicide attempts in adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 587 consecutive patients aged 18 or over who attempted suicide and were hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Psychiatric diagnoses, suicide attempt frequency and clinical features were compared between ASD and non-ASD patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three (7.3%) of the 587 subjects who attempted suicide had ASDs. The incidence of patients with mood disorders was significantly lower (Fisher's Exact Test, P=.043) and that of those with an adjustment disorder was significantly higher (Fisher's Exact Test, P<.001) in the ASD group than in the non-ASD group. The average length of stay at both the hospital and intensive care unit in the ASD group was longer than that in the non-ASD group (z=-2.031, P=.042; z=-2.322, P=.020, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ASDs should always be a consideration when dealing with suicide attempts in adults at the emergency room.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Katsunaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akama
authors.forename: Keigo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Mizuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.forename: Keitaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimoto
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimoto
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ichimura
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult