Seasonal Trends in Hospitalization of Attempted Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury in United States Adults

Abstract

Introduction Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (US) and the prevalence continues to increase. It is estimated that there is an average of 25 attempted suicides for every suicide death in the US, and the economic burden of suicide and attempted suicide is high. Identification of those at risk for suicide and attempted suicide can help with early and prompt intervention. Studies in Europe and Asia have shown that there is a relationship between seasonal patterns and suicidal risk. However, little is known about seasonal patterns of suicidal attempts in the US. Therefore, our study aimed to assess seasonal patterns by days of the week and months of the year in the US. Methods Hospitalized adult patients with suicide attempts and self-inflicted injury were identified using the discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. We looked at the seasonal trends of patients with attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury by weekday vs weekend and month of the year over the five-year study period. We also assessed two groups, male and female with attempted suicide and compared trends and contributing risk factors over the study period using Student’s t-test and chi-square test. Results A total of 249,845 patients with attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury were reported during the study period with a prevalence rate increase of 15%, among which 70% were males, 65.5% white and 38.8% were age 40-64 years. An overall prevalence rate of about 168-200 per 100,000 hospitalizations was reported. There was a higher admission rate on weekends as compared to weekdays (190-300 vs 150-178 per 100,000 hospitalizations). Attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury admissions peaked during the months of July and August with a peak period range of 200-230 per 100,000 hospitalizations in a year. Conclusion The prevalence of attempted suicide is steadily rising. Awareness of the seasonal and epidemiological trends of attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury is a very important step towards developing effective strategies to prevent suicide and attempted suicide.

What do older people who have attempted suicide experience? Study protocol for a qualitative meta-synthesis among older adults, family caregivers and healthcare professionals

“…Suicide attempts are significant clinical events that lead to a variety of adverse effects, serving as a primary source of distress, morbidity and economic burden 19. Also, those who survive attempted suicide may suffer from consequences such as brain injury and broken bones 42. Previous research has revealed that approximately 18% of individuals who attempt suicide make a second attempt in the following year 43.…”

“… 19 Also, those who survive attempted suicide may suffer from consequences such as brain injury and broken bones. 42 Previous research has revealed that approximately 18% of individuals who attempt suicide make a second attempt in the following year. 43 In 2013, the total annual estimated economic burden of suicide attempts in the USA exceeded $8 billion.…”

Eventos Toxicológicos Relacionados a Medicamentos em Mulheres de Idade Fértil Toxicological

“…Em relação ao resultado de maior prevalência nos fins de semanas (sábado e domingo) e nas segundas-feiras, verifica-se que se assemelha a alguns estudos, os quais demonstraram que os registros de óbito por suicídio ocorrem mais nas segundas e nas sextas-feiras, e as tentativas de suicídio e autoflagelação, nos fins de semana (Stark et al, 2010;Onoya et al, 2021). Ainda que alguns estudos apontem que, nos fins de semana, as pessoas estão rodeadas de familiares e amigos, os quais são importantes rede de apoio, evitando teoricamente os pensamentos de autoflagelação, não há consenso na literatura sobre a variação da incidência ao longo dos dias da semana (Oladunjoye et al, 2020;Meydroidt et al, 2020).…”

Variations in seasonal solar insolation are associated with a history of suicide attempts in bipolar I disorder

“…Risk factors for suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder include depression, agitation, impulsivity, comorbid alcohol or substance abuse, prior suicidal acts, recent discharge from a psychiatric hospital, along with genetic, demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors, and stressful life events (Pompili et al 2013 ; Shaffer 2015 ; Tondo et al 2021 ; Bachmann 2018 ; Plans et al 2019 ; Tidemalm et al 2014 ). Additionally, international epidemiology studies of the general population spanning several decades report seasonality in suicide attempts and deaths with a peak in spring or summer (Galvão et al 2018 ; Woo et al 2012 ; Su et al 2020 ; Postolache et al 2010 ; Oladunjoye et al 2020 ; Christodoulou et al 2012 ; Coimbra et al 2016 ; Petridou et al 2002 ).…”