Clinical and demographic factors associated with suicide attempts admitted to the West Midlands Poisons Unit over a 2-year period were compared by age group. Risk factors for future suicide (living alone, physical illness, psychiatric illness and high suicidal intent in the attempt) were significantly more common among elderly patients (65 years and over) than middle-aged patients (35-64 years) and significantly less common among young patients (under 35 years) than middle-aged patients. Elderly patients that attempted suicide resemble elderly patients that completed suicide and should be considered at high risk of future suicide.
This study investigates the prevalence of excessive drinking and alcohol-related problems amongst suicide attempts. It also compares the characteristics of attempted suicide by alcohol consumption group. Drinking histories were taken on 250 consecutive attempted suicides admitted to the West Midlands Poisons Unit. Fifty-one per cent of the men and 31% of the women drank more than the weekly limits recommended by the Health Education Council. Of the men, 22.5% drank more than 50 units of alcohol a week and 9.5% of the women drank more than 35 units of alcohol a week. Alcohol-related problems (social problems, alcohol dependence or physical illness) were present in 34% of men and 15.5% of women. These results show a greater incidence of alcohol misuse than previous studies on attempted suicide. This is probably because detailed alcohol histories were taken on all patients. Alcohol misuse is best treated before major alcohol-related problems develop. Those responsible for assessing cases of attempted suicide should be adept at detecting alcohol misuse and instituting appropriate management.
Rates of deliberate self-poisoning in four immigrant groups, Asian, West Indian, Irish and Scottish were compared with those of English-born residents in an inner-city area of Birmingham. For both Asian and West Indian groups males and older females were underrepresented but young females had rates similar to the English group. Irish females and Scottish of both sexes were overrepresented. The rates of self-poisoning for all four immigrant groups considerably exceeded those of their country of origin, the difference being most marked among young Asian females. Explanations for these findings are examined.
Factors associated with self-poisoning have been compared between the immigrant communities of West Birmingham and the local indigenous population. The annual rate of admission to hospital with selfpoisoning is increasing most rapidly in the West Indian community which, together with the Asian, shows a lower mean age and greater incidence than the Caucasian population. Reasons for overdosage and admissions offered by the various ethnic groups are also compared.
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