Citation

McLone SG, Loharikar A, Sheehan K, Mason M. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016; 81(4 Suppl 1 Forging New Frontiers: The 20th Annual Conference of the Injury Free): S30-S35.

Affiliation

Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago smclone@luriechildrens.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health - Global Immunization Division, Atlanta, GA anagha.loharikar@gmail.com Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Smith Child Health Research Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute ksheehan@luriechildrens.org Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine mmason@luriechildrens.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000001141

PMID

27244579

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide accounts for two-thirds of all deaths from intentional, or violence-related, injury and is a leading cause of death in the United States. Patterns of suicide have been well described among high risk groups, but few studies have compared the circumstances related to suicides across all age groups. We sought to understand the epidemiology of suicide cases in Illinois and to characterize the risks and patterns for suicide among different age groups.

METHODS: We utilized suicide data collected in the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) to assess demographics, method of suicide, circumstances, and mental health status among different age groups.

RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2010, 3016 suicides were reported; 692 (23%) were female, and the median age (n=3013) was 45 years (range 10-98 years). The most common method/weapon types were hanging/strangulation (33%), firearm (32%) and poisoning (21%). Hanging was more common (74%) among young people aged 10-19 years, while firearm use was more common among elderly persons age 65 years and over (55%). The percentage of victims within an age group experiencing a crisis within two weeks prior to committing suicide was highest among 10 to 14 year-olds, while the risk factor of having a family member or friend die in past five years was highest among older victims.

CONCLUSIONS: The final analysis demonstrated age-related trends in suicide in Illinois suggesting prevention programs should tailor services by age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV epidemiological study,.

Language: en