Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of persons who had commited a suicide attempt

Introduction: The suicide attempt is a risk factor for completed suicide. The majority of those who commit suicide have made previous attemps. The greatest risk for suicide is the presence of psychiatric disorder. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of persons who had commited a suicide attempt. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the period from January 2000 to the July 2007 and as a source of data we used medical records. The study included 105 persons who had committed suicide attempt and who were hospitalized at the Department of Psychiatry of Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. We analyzed socio-demographic variables such as: gender, age, occupation, place of residence and clinical variables: the diagnosis, symptoms, the length of stay in hospital, the method of suicide attempts, the number of suicide attempts before the last one and the heredity. Results: Out of a total number of examinees (n=105), 61/105 (58.1%) were females and 44/105 (41.9%) were males. The highest number of suicide attempts were in males between 30-49 years of age (21/44 or 48.8%) and in females between 40-59 years of age (32/61 or 53.3%). There was statistically significant difference in the frequency of suicide attempts between seasons spring/summer/autumn/winter (36.9% vs. 27.2% vs. 17.5% vs. 18.4%) (chi(2)(3)=10.126; P=0.017). Based on a persons' occupation, the most frequent ones were retired persons 22/105 (22.9%). The most common diagnosis according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems ICD-10 was F20-F29 (36/105 or 34.3%). In females, the median of hospitalization time was 28.0 days (IQR=42.0), and 23.5 days (IQR=40) in males (Z=-296, P=0.767). Conclusion: Clinicians must recognize the risk factors for suicide. Intervention on a person's suicide attempt is imminent.