Clinical predictors of psychiatric and medical morbidities of charcoal-burning suicide attempt in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective: This naturalistic retrospective cohort study explored the demographic and clinical factors associated with psychiatric and medical morbidities among patients with suicide attempts by burning charcoal. Method: We conducted a follow-up study of 69 cases with charcoal-burning suicide attempts in two general hospitals. The associations between demographic, clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The presence of past psychiatric treatment, past history of suicide attempt and physical complications were associated with the occurrence of psychiatric morbidity after the index suicide attempt. Loss of consciousness and abnormal blood acidity were associated with medical morbidity after the index admission. Conclusion: Psychiatric and medical morbidities are common among charcoal-burning suicide attempts and identified clinical factors associated with these problems may be useful in its management. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.