title: Assessment of Suicidal Behavior in a Psychiatric Emergency Room in Lisbon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies alerted for the burden of suicidal attempters at emergency rooms. In this study we characterized the suicidal patients admitted to a Portuguese emergency room.
  
  
  METHODS
  For three years, all patients assessed by the first author after suicidal behaviour were included. Suicidal intentionality was evaluated with the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale. Clinical records were searched for follow-up status and satisfaction level was assessed through telephone call.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 120 included patients 70.8% were female, with mean age of 42.35 years. Pierce Suicide Intent Scale suicidal intentionality was low in 30.1%, medium in 59.3%, and high in 10.6% of the sample. The most important predictors of Pierce Suicide Intent Scale intentionality were male gender (p < 0.001), family history of suicide (p < 0.01), divorced or widowed marital status (p < 0.013), and severe mental illness (p < 0.015). In 41.6% of the patients the follow-up status was unknown. Regarding satisfaction, only 19.5% gave a valid answer: 2.7% 'mildly satisfied', 4.4% 'moderately satisfied', and 12.5% 'very satisfied'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pierce Suicide Intent Scale is useful on suicidal behavior assessment at emergency rooms. Highly intentional suicidal behaviour is related to male sex, social problems and personal and familial psychiatric history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of administrative records on this psychiatric emergency room setting are still unacceptable. The most important variables correlated with higher suicidal intentionality are the same described in other countries. Of the reachable patients, one fifth was satisfied with provided follow-up. We still need studies for better understanding of suicidal behaviour observed on this Portuguese emergency room.
authors.affiliation: Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal. Clínica de Psicoses Esquizofrénicas. Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
authors.forename: João Gama
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
authors.forename: Diogo Frasquilho
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Guerreiro
authors.affiliation: Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide; D013406:Suicide, Attempted