Citation

Rapeli CB, Botega NJ. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 2005; 27(4): 285-289.

Affiliation

Adolescent Division, School of Medical Science, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Associacao Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

DOI

/S1516-44462005000400006

PMID

16358109

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To verify the presence of different groups of medically serious suicide attempters who had more clinical or surgical seriousness and required admission to a general hospital. METHODS: 121 patients admitted consecutively were assessed. A questionnaire containing items on the patient characteristics and psychometric scales to assess the suicidal intent and lethality were used. A cluster analysis was performed using the K-means method. RESULTS: Three groups were identified: 1) 43 subjects (mostly female) characterized by self-poisoning with medication and low suicidal intent, with highly impulsive suicide attempts; 2) 53 subjects (mostly males) who ingested pesticides and presented both moderate degrees of lethality and suicidal intent; 3) 17 subjects (predominantly males) who used more violent methods and presented high levels of lethality and suicidal intent. CONCLUSIONS: Grouped data of these inpatients could be misleading for follow-up research purposes as our findings indicate that there are relatively distinct clinical profiles among suicide attempters admitted to a general hospital.