Suicide is a serious phenomenon associated with psychiatric disorders.

In the present study, we investigated factors that can predict follow-up at the psychiatric clinic after medical care at the emergency room (ER).

Medical records of the 145 patients treated at the ER following suicide attempt from Jan 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009 were reviewed. Age, sex, past psychiatric history, impulsiveness and medical severity of suicide attempt, risk-rescue rating scores, reasons for suicide attempt and methods of suicide were examined. Psychiatric diagnoses were made by psychiatrists at the initial interview with patients at ER.

The mean age of the patients was 42.9 ± 15.7 years, and 68.3 % were women and 31.7% were men. Among the suicide methods, psychotropics were the most common (69%), and ingestion of pesticides was the second (19.3%). Interpersonal problems were the most common precipitating event (57.9%), and depression was the most common (89%). About a half had previous psychiatric disorders and about one third had previous suicide attempt. Fifteen patients (10.3%) attempted planned suicide and 124 patients (85.5%) attempted impulsively. Mean risk and rescue rating scores was 8.6 ±1.6 and 12.3 ± 2.2. About one third had a follow-up psychiatric visit. The most important predictor of psychiatric follow-up was risk rating scores.

This study suggests that women with interpersonal problems and depression should be carefully monitored to reduce suicide attempt. Patients commit less risky suicide attempts tend to more loss to psychiatric follow-up, thus, need more attention to prevent suicide re-attempts.