@article{ref1,
title="Mortality and suicide after non-fatal self-poisoning: 16-year outcome study",
journal="British journal of psychiatry",
year="2005",
author="Wood, C. and Owens, David and Greenwood, Darren C. and Hughes, T. and Dennis, Michael",
volume="187",
number="",
pages="470-475",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Suicide reduction is government strategy in many countries. We need to quantify the connection between non-fatal self-poisoning and eventual suicide. AIMS: To determine mortality after an episode of self-poisoning and to identify predictors of death by any cause or by suicide. METHOD: A retrospective single-group cohort study was undertaken with 976 consecutive patients attending a large accident and emergency unit in 1985-1986 after non-fatal self-poisoning. Information about deaths was determined from the Office for National Statistics. RESULTS: Of the original patients, 94% were traced 16 years later; 17% had died, 3.5% by probable suicide. Subsequent suicide was related to numerous factors evident at the time of the episode of self-poisoning but, when examined for their independent effects, only the severity of the self-poisoning episode and relevant previous history seemed important. CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending a general hospital after self-poisoning all require good basic assessment and care responsive to their needs. Attempts to reduce the huge excess of suicide subsequentto self-harm are not likely to achieve much if they are based on the identification of subgroups through'risk assessment'.",
language="",
issn="0007-1250",
doi="10.1192/bjp.187.5.470",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.187.5.470"
}