Analysis of Suspected Suicides Using Poison Center Data

Abstract

Although there has been extensive research into the epidemiology and prevention of suicide, there continues to be a paucity of research on non-fatal suicides, in particular persons not treated in hospitals following a suicide attempt. In this study, we analyzed call data from the Illinois Poison Center from 2002 to 2007, which primarily comprises of non-fatal hospitalized and non-hospitalized attempts. We analyzed 43,057 calls by persons suspected of attempting suicide. The three most common groups of substances used were analgesics, antidepressants, and sedative/hypnotics/antipsychotics. The Poisson regression model showed significant declines in calls for suspected suicides during periods of holidays and vacations, and was more pronounced among youths. This study provides a current and detailed description of substances used primarily in non-fatal suicide attempts.

Keywords:

• analgesics
• poisoning
• Poisson regression model
• suicide
• trend analysis
• youths

Notes

Notes. *Cumulative percentage exceeds 100% because individuals can be exposed to more than one substance simultaneously.