SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR SUICIDE IN AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN TURKEY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

TÜRKİYE'DEKİ BİR YOĞUN BAKIM ÜNİTESİNDE İNTİHAR NEDENİYLE YATAN HASTALAR

Abstract

Background:Increasing suicide rates, mental health problems and the need for intensive care have become an important health problem. Therefore, analyzing the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized in intensive care for suicide attempts is critical for developing effective intervention and prevention strategies. This study aims to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics and mental health of individuals who attempted suicide.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, suicide cases in the adult intensive care unit of a university hospital between 01.11.2017 and 01.11.2023 were analyzed through the hospital automation system.

Results: The mean age of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit in the last 10 years was 27.06 ± 10.15 years and 61% were female. 79.6% of the patients were admitted with a prediagnosis of suicide and 17.7% with alcohol or substance intoxication. Family pressure (32.7%), economic problems (17.7%) and psychiatric problems (15%) were the main reasons for suicide. The most common methods of suicide were drug abuse (67%), insecticide use (26%) and hanging (4%). Seventy per cent of the patients were discharged with nausea and vomiting, 92 per cent were discharged, and 8 per cent died. Suicide cases occurred mostly in July (15%) in 2017 (21%) and 2022 (18%). Suicides were frequently observed at night, especially at 23:00 (14.6%).

Conclusions: This study investigated the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Turkey for suicide attempts. Results showed that most patients were young females who often attempted suicide by drug ingestion. Key contributing factors included family pressure, economic challenges, and psychiatric issues, with suicide cases peaking in the summer. These findings may aid in developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies by identifying high-risk groups and periods.