bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of suicide attempts: Association with gender
Authors: Mergl R. , Havers I. , Althaus D. , Rihmer Z. , Schmidtke A. , Lehfeld H. , Niklewski G. , Hegerl U. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSome studies suggest seasonality of suicide attempts in females, but not males. Only few studies investigated whether gender differences in seasonality of suicide attempts reflect gender differences in the choice of method, with inconsistent results.Objectives/aimsTo analyze the association of gender with seasonality in suicide attempts by persons living in two Northern Bavarian regions (city of Nuremberg and region of Wuerzburg) between 2000 and 2004.MethodsThe sample consisted of 2269 suicide attempters (882 males and 1387 females). The overall seasonality was assessed using the chi2 test for multinomials. Moreover, the ratio of observed to expected number of suicide attempts (OER) with 95% confidence intervals within each season was calculated.ResultsOverall distribution of suicide attempts differed significantly between seasons for women (chi2 = 9.19; df = 3; p = 0.03), but not for men. Female suicide attempts showed a trough in the spring (OER = 0.9; 95% C.I. = 0.8 – 1.0) which was restricted to female low-risk suicide attempts (OER = 0.87; 95% C.I. = 0.77 – 0.98). No seasonality was found for men. Seasonality of high-risk methods was more pronounced than that of low-risk methods; however, no significant gender differences were found.The overall distribution of the sub-types of suicidal acts (parasuicidal gestures, suicidal pauses, suicide attempts in the strict sense) showed seasonality neither for males nor for females.ConclusionsWhereas seasonality was absent in male suicide attempters, the frequency of low-risk suicide attempts in females was 13.1% lower than expected in the spring.
Gender differences of suicidal behavior in belarus: Epidemiology
Authors: Paravaya O. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionIn Western Europe male die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This pattern has been found in Belarus with some peculiarities.Object of studyMen and women under 18, who committed a suicide or made a suicide attempt.Aim of the studyTo investigate peculiarities of suicides and parasuicides among men and women in Belarus in order to reveal target group for suicide prevention.MethodsWe used the Suicide database of the Ministry of Health for epidemiological analyze.ResultsThe study is still being carried out. The male to female suicide ratio is 5:1 in 2008 year. Prevalence of suicides hasn’t changed a lot in women during last 20 years. It rapidly grew among men in the beginning of 90ies with the peak in 2000 year. Then it started to decrease slowly with the rate of 48,5 in 2008 year. Prevalence of suicides is 2.5 time higher in countryside in comparing with cities. Men have higher suicide rate in age from 40 to 60 and after 70 years old, women -after 70 years old. Data on parasuicides have been collecting centrally since 2007. Prevalence of parasuicides was 80 per 100 000 of population and male: female ratio was 1:1 in 2009.ConclusionMen show a big influence of socio-economical state on suicidal behavior. Risk factors have different power in cities and in countryside. Main group for suicide prevention is 40–60 years old men in countryside with alcohol dependence.
A legislative framework for enhancing the care and management of the mentally ill. The mental health ACT (2007) and the role of paramedics
Authors: Parsons V. 
Published: May 2011

The role of paramedics in the care and treatment of mental health patients has attracted limited attention in the research arena. With the introduction of new emergency provisions under Australian state and territory- based mental health legislation paramedics in some jurisdictions have now been granted the authority to detain, restrain, search and sedate behaviourally disturbed patients who require involuntary emergency medical assistance.The granting of mental health legislative responsibilities to paramedics has heralded a new era in not only the delivery of pre-hospital mental health care but also in the way the community perceives the role and responsibility of paramedics. The introduction of these new provisions is founded on the recognition that paramedics have a key role to play in providing high quality pre hospital mental health care. The inclusion of the provisions is also aimed at reducing the proportion of patients being handcuffed and transported to hospital by police.Drawing upon previous research which has focused on the role of paramedics in relation to mental illness (Shaban.,2005, 2006 & Roberts, 2009), this paper will detail what is currently known about mental health care in the pre-hospital setting and the clinical decision making used by paramedics when responding to mental health patients. This paper will also propose the need for further research to identify what clinical decision processes are used by paramedics when fulfilling their mental health legislative responsibilities.
Assessment of suicide attempts in an emergency service of a General Hospital
Authors: Pérez García M. , Portela Traba B. , Mozos Ansorena A. , Cornes Iglesias J.M. , Páramo Fernandez M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is a high frequency of attendance at emergency medical service for suicide attempts.ObjectivesDetermine the type of urgency for suicide attempt in our country.Material and methodsThe present study treats of suicide attempts (n = 248) attended by the Psychiatric Emergency Service of Hospital in our city between 2004–2008. The diagnoses were made by clinical interview following ICD-10 criteria.Results248 suicide attempts (60% women), with age between 15 and 88 years.There are equal proportions of singles and married (a 38%). 53% live with couple with/without children, 30%live with parents and a 10%live alone. >55% of patients have a middle education and socioeconomic level. The average time from suicide attempt until the assessment in the emergency department is 2.71 ± 3.64 hours. The day of the week with more assistance for this reason is Monday. Also it's observed an increase in the months between May and October. The cases are uniformly distributed throughout the month, although there is a decrease in the number of cases in the initial and final days of the month. 60% of patients haven’t history of previous attempts and use an only method that is drug overdose. Personality disorders are the most frequent diagnose and 44% patients need an internment in a psychiatric ward.ConclusionsProfile of the patient who makes a suicide attempt and that is evaluated in the Psychiatric Emergency Service of our Hospital: woman 36 years old, married/with couple and lives with him/her. She comes to emergency department in the first 4 hours after the drug overdose. She hasn’t history of previous attempts.She is diagnosed of emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Suicide and fatal alcohol poisoning among rural and urban population of Belarus
Authors: Razvodovsky Y.E. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundIn most countries suicide rates are generally higher in rural than in urban areas. In many countries there has been a disproportionate increase in rural suicide contributing to greater rural/urban gradient. A wide range of factors, including social isolation, material deprivation and unfavorable changes in the demographic structure, have been cited as possible reasons for comparatively higher suicide rates in rural community. Given that alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for autoagressive behavior, we assume that alcohol may be the reason behind rural/urban gradient in suicide.AimThe aim of this study was to examine the suicide and fatal alcohol poisoning rates (as a proxy for binge drinking) among rural and urban population of Belarus.MethodUsing country age-adjusted, gender-specific mortality data between 1990 and 2005, we estimated rural/urban differentials in suicide and fatal alcohol poisoning rates over time. Results: Significant rural/urban gradient in suicide and fatal alcohol poisoning rates was found. The gradient increased consistently, suggesting widening rural/urban differentials across the period. The results of the correlation analysis indicate the presence of close association between the two variables for rural man and women.ConclusionThe increase rural/urban gradient in suicide observed in this study might to some degree reflect differentials changes over time in the alcohol-related problems rate for rural and urban population.
Socio-demographic correlates of suicide in the regions affected by chernobyl nuclear disaster
Authors: Razvodovsky Y.E. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundThe Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 was the greatest technological disaster in history. There is evidence that the accident has had a significant long-term impact on psychological well-being of the affected population. In particular, the rate of suicide has increased dramatically among the exposed population.AimsThis study was design to examine same of the socio-demographic characteristics which might explain this rise.MethodsA psychological autopsy study of suicides occurring in the regions affected by Chernobyl nuclear disaster between 2003 and 2007 was conducted.ResultsThe suicide rate among the affected population is 3–4 times higher (95–130 per 100.000 of the population) than among general population (33 per 100.000 of the population). The risk factors for suicide among the affected population are the same as for general population. These include unemployment, low income, low education level, acute and chronic alcohol intoxication. Alcohol dependence was diagnosed in 70% of male suicides and 71.4% of female suicides. Alcohol dependence was diagnosed more frequently among men age 30–39 (81.1%) and 50–59 (80%). In the present study 72.3% of males and 62% of females were BAC-positive at the time of death. Positive BAC cases were found more frequently in men age 30–39 (86.5%); 50–59 (86.7%) and women age 30–39 (85.7%).ConclusionsThese results are consistent with previous studies suggesting that acute and chronic alcohol intoxication may function as proximal and distal risk factors of suicide.
Cognitive inhibition in suicidal depressed elderly
Authors: Richard-Devantoy S. , Annweiler C. , Beauchet O. , Camus V. , Le Gall D. , Garré J.-B. 
Published: May 2011

RationaleDeficits in executive functions may play a leading role in late-life suicide behaviours.ObjectiveTo determine whether executive functions, and more specifically cognitive inhibition, could be associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviours among depressed elderly individuals.MethodsWe compared 10 depressed suicide attempters aged 65 and older with 10 depressed suicide non-attempters matched for age, gender and education. To assess cognitive inhibition, we used neutral material, in the form of the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST), Go-No-Go task (GNG) and Stroop test (ST). The Brixton Spatial Anticipation test (BSA), the dual-task performance and verbal fluencies test were also used to assess flexibility, planning tasks and memory.ResultsSuicidal (mean, 75.30 years; 70% female) and non-suicidal (mean, 72.90 years; 70% female) depressed groups were comparable in terms of burden of physical illness and severity of depression according to the Hamilton Depression Scale (mean score 27.90, p = 0.529). Suicide attempters showed greater impairments in cognitive inhibition as illustrated by significant between-group differences in the number of MCST errors (p = 0.023) and MCST preservative errors (p = 0.035), and by the trend of worse performance on GNG (p = 0.052). No significant differences were found in the scores on ST, BSA, dual-task performance and in semantic or phonemic verbal fluencies. Furthermore, suicide attempt was also associated with GNG score (adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.25 [95CI = 0.07–0.95], p = 0.041) after adjustment for age.ConclusionsOur case-control study shows that poor cognitive inhibition is associated with suicidal behaviours in late-life depression.
Profile of attachment and suicidal ideation during a major depressive episode
Authors: Rochette J. , Polo P. , Pacaut-Troncin M. , Terra P.J.-L. 
Published: May 2011

During a major depressive episode, suicidal risks are increased and the possibility of request of help and treatment is conditionedby the way the subject structured its attachment in the childhood. We present a study which concerns the detailed examination, during 6 months, mental states of 40 patients presenting a major depressive episode and frequenting a Medical psychological Center connected with a Psychiatric hospital. The collection of the data is made with tools stemming from various fields (DSM4, theory of the attachment, the psychoanalytical psychology)“.The population is divided to three Camire profiles (Pierre Humbert et al, 1996) (Secure, Preoccupied, Avoidant). We chose 3 markers which can inform us about the evolution of the crisis according to the profile of attachment :1-Intensity of the suicidal idéation « SSI » (Beck et all.1979)2-therapeutic Alliance “WAI” Horvath et Greenberg, 1989)3-Intensité of the depression. (Hamilton HAMD-21)HypothesisThe attachment says “sécure” facilitate better scores in these 3 markers.Results1)The regulations emotional Secure does not protect against strong suicidal ideation in patients suffering from major depressive disorder. Freud's theory of trauma in this direction by assuming a tolerable threshold above which any topic is disorganized. (p-value = 0,05)2)The strategies of emotional regulation parts protect against suicidal thoughts while concerned about emotional regulation strategies to expose depressed suicidal subjects. (p-value = 0,09)3)According to the literature, we find a better alliance with secure attachment. (except at the beginning of care) (p-value = 0,06 at period T3 and p-value = 0,08 at period T6)
Is suicide predictable? A classification of predictive factors in Iranian women who had multiple suicide attempts
Authors: Seghatoleslam T. , Habil H. , Rezaee O. , Sadr S. , Emamhadi R. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundThe current study aims to test the hypothesis: Is suicide predictable? And try to classify the predictive factors in multiple suicide attempts.MethodA cross-sectional study was administered to 223 multiple attempters, women who came to a medical poison centre after a suicide attempt. The participants were young, poor, and single. A Regression Logistic Test was used to classify the predictive factors of suicide.ResultsWomen who had multiple suicide attempts exhibited a significant tendency to attempt suicide again. They had a history for more than two years of multiple suicide attempts, from three to as many as 18 times, plus mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse. They also had a positive history of mental illnesses.ConclusionResults indicate that contributing factors for another suicide attempt include previous suicide attempts, mental illness (depression), or a positive history of mental illnesses in the family affecting them at a young age, and substance abuse.
Antidepressants in unipolar and bipolar depression and increased suicidal risk: Is there scientific evidence?
Authors: Serafini G. , Pompili M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSuicidal behavior represents a major public health issue. There has been a controversy concerning the possible increased risk of suicidal behaviour in some depressed patients treated with antidepressants and whether antidepressants affect the risk of suicidality among patients with major affective disorders is still matter of debate.ObjectivesTo investigate the real impact of SNRIs in treating patients with unipolar and bipolar disorder.AimsRecently we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of duloxetine versus venlafaxine in the acute treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression.MethodsIn a non randomized controlled trial, we recruited 62 participants as consecutive outpatients (41 men; 21 women) affected by unipolar and bipolar depression treated either with duloxetine and venlafaxine.ResultsMore patients treated with duloxetine had a positive response to treatment and remission both for depression (HAMD17 response: 90.3% vs 0.0%; p < .001; HAM-D17 remission: 48.4% vs 0.0%; p < .001), and anxiety (HAM-A response: 90.3% vs 6.5%; p < .001; HAM-A remission: 71.0% vs 6.5%; p < .001) than controls. Patients treated with duloxetine were also more likely to show a decrease in HAM-D17 suicidality (100% vs 45.2%; < .001) and an increase in the quality of life (SF-36 percentage of improvement: 6.35 [SD = 9.66 vs -2.58 [9.98]; p < .001) than controls.ConclusionsAmong SNRIs, based on our results, duloxetine is more effective in reducing anxiety and suicidal ideation. Both duloxetine and venlafaxine were safe and tolerated, and both may be successfully used in unipolar and bipolar depression.
Affective temperaments, white matter hyperintensities and suicidal risk in patients with mood disorders
Authors: Serafini G. , Pompili M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPatients with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) may be at higher risk for affective disorders and suicidal behaviour and affective temperaments may play a significant role in mood disorders.Objectives, aims, methodsRecently, we conducted a study in a sample of 247 patients with major affective disorders consecutively admitted as psychiatric inpatients.ResultsWe found that those with higher dysthymia and lower hyperthymia were more likely to have higher BHS scores, more WMHs, higher MINI suicidal risk, and more recent suicide attempts than patients with higher hyperthymia and lower dysthymia. Previously, we have reported that depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments are risk factors whereas the hyperthymic temperament is a protective factor for suicidal behaviour, at least for suicide attempters. This is in line with recent genetic studies showing that the short allele of serotonin transporter gene promoter (5-HTTLPR) was significantly related to depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments (but not to the hyperthymic temperament) and individuals with the short allele of the 5-HTTLPR and major affective disorders have more microstructural white matter abnormalities in specific brain regions.ConclusionsIn subjects with mood disorders, some temperament profiles in addition to WMHs presumably play a critical role in the emergence of hopelessness and suicidal behaviour. Differences among temperament profiles associated with WMHs may be used as biological markers for clinically grouping subjects at higher risk both for the emergence of mood disorders and suicidal behaviour (highly lethal suicide attempts) and this may have relevant implications for treatment.
A descriptive study of the mortality of psychiatric patients in Nottingham
Authors: Shetty A. , Doody G. 
Published: May 2011

Objectives1.To examine all deaths in patients aged 16–65 years in Nottingham who were known to secondary psychiatric care services between 1998–2003.2.To compare the numbers of suicides with numbers in the general population.3.To identify the predictors of suicide.MethodsEthical approval was granted by the local research ethics committee. Patients who died between 1998 to 2003 were identified from our electronic database. AS reviewed case notes and filled out data on a template.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provided the causes of death and coroners’ verdicts, and the total numbers of suicides in the general population. All data was coded, entered onto a spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 15.0.Analysis was conducted using T-tests and chi-squared analyses to differentiate between groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of suicide.ResultsUsing a logistic regression model, the variables that predicted suicide were age (p < 0.001), diagnosis of affective disorder (p < 0.001), previous self-harm (p < 0.001) and being admitted to a psychiatric unit in the last year (p = 0.028). For each increasing year of age upto 65 years, the odds of dying by suicide decreased by 11%.In total, 275 people aged 16–65 committed suicide in the study period. Of these, 71 were open to psychiatric services at the time of death.ConclusionsThe majority of patients committing suicide are not known to psychiatric services. There is a need for stronger links with primary care to improve identification of people at risk of suicide.
Assessment and treatment of patients with suicidal thoughts and attempts in emergency psychiatry
Authors: Sinani L. , Kola V. , Dyrma A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAssessment of suicidal risk is the most important and difficult goal in a psychiatric emergency. To prevent the suicide, it is essential to be effective and accurate with the prediction of individual cases and time-intervention.ObjectiveTo determine an assessment model which will reduce suicidal behavior. To identify risk and protective factorsGoal: Improve assessment, management and treatment of patients with suicidal thoughts and attempts in the psychiatric ward.MethodProspective case-crossover study, 32 patients (19 men, 13 women), during 24 weeks. Psychiatric evaluation based on structural clinical interviews and questionnaires related to risk factors were conducted to patients with suicidal thoughts and attempts.Results74% of cases with high Suicide risk were hospitalized; only 40% were medium risk. Frequent factors often identified were lack of hope, the presence of major mood disorders / schizophrenia, previous suicidal attempts, psychological distress and personality disorders. The risk for patients with strong or average desire for suicide attempt, if not subject to proper management is almost five times greater than other patients.ConclusionsCompared to the general population, the risk of death from a person already having attempted suicide is seriously higher. Evaluation and selection of proper treatment and circumstances is the key for a significant reduction of suicidal thoughts within a short time.
Is the time for suicide a random choice among young adults? An Italian study
Authors: Solano P. , Pizzorno E. , Gallina A.M. , Mattei C. , Gabrielli F. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionEvery year between 100’000 and 200’000 young people die by suicide and possibly 40 times as many attempt it [1]. Several studies analyze the seasonality of suicide in the general population, but few of them investigate it among young adults.ObjectivesWe look for a seasonal pattern in suicidal behaviors performed by young adults and evaluate the lethality of their behaviors.AimsWe test the hypothesis that(a)suicidal behaviors in young adults follow a seasonal pattern and(b)acts performed by males have a different lethality that those carried out by females.MethodsAnalyses are based on data for 3614 cases of suicidal behaviours performed by individuals aged between 18 to 24 occurring between 2001 and 2008, provided by the Italian Institute for Statistical Analysis (ISTAT). Variables included in the analysis were gender, lethality of the act and season.ResultsANOVA shows a significant association between months and number of suicides with a significant difference between the first and the second semester. Peaks were found in January, March and May. Males have a significantly greater regularity of the peaks than females (Mann-Whitney U- Test p < 0,001). Females have a rapport between completed and attempted suicides of 0.14, while among males it is of 0.72.ConclusionsClinical implications of these findings should be considered with the aim of developing more effective preventative strategies targeted to this age group.