Assessment of Suicidal Behavior in a Psychiatric Emergency Room in Lisbon,

Authors

  • João Gama Marques Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal. Clínica de Psicoses Esquizofrénicas. Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Diogo Frasquilho Guerreiro Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Daniel Sampaio Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.5888

Keywords:

Emergency Service, Hospital, Intention, Portugal, Questionnaires, Self-Injurious Behavior, Suicide, Attempted.

Abstract

Introduction: Some studies alerted for the burden of suicidal attempters at emergency rooms. In this study we characterized the suicidal patients admitted to a Portuguese emergency room.
Material and Methods: For three years, all patients assessed by the first author after suicidal behaviour were included. Suicidal intentionality was evaluated with the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale. Clinical records were searched for follow-up status and satisfaction level was assessed through telephone call.
Results: From 120 included patients 70.8% were female, with mean age of 42.35 years. Pierce Suicide Intent Scale suicidal intentionality was low in 30.1%, medium in 59.3%, and high in 10.6% of the sample. The most important predictors of Pierce Suicide Intent Scale intentionality were male gender (p < 0.001), family history of suicide (p < 0.01), divorced or widowed marital status (p < 0.013), and severe mental illness (p < 0.015). In 41.6% of the patients the follow-up status was unknown. Regarding satisfaction, only 19.5% gave a valid answer: 2.7% ‘mildly satisfied’, 4.4% ‘moderately satisfied’, and 12.5% ‘very satisfied’.
Discussion: The Pierce Suicide Intent Scale is useful on suicidal behavior assessment at emergency rooms. Highly intentional suicidal behaviour is related to male sex, social problems and personal and familial psychiatric history.
Conclusion: The quality of administrative records on this psychiatric emergency room setting are still unacceptable. The most important variables correlated with higher suicidal intentionality are the same described in other countries. Of the reachable patients, one fifth was satisfied with provided follow-up. We still need studies for better understanding of suicidal behaviour observed on this Portuguese emergency room.

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Author Biography

João Gama Marques, Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal. Clínica de Psicoses Esquizofrénicas. Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.

Médico Psiquiatra do Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, interessado em Esquizofrenia, Doença Bipolar e Suicídio.

Assistente Livre de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, interessado em factores relacionados com Estigma no ensino e na aprendizagem de disciplinas ligadas à doença mental.

Aluno doutorando de Neurociências da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa.

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Published

2015-07-10

How to Cite

1.
Gama Marques J, Frasquilho Guerreiro D, Sampaio D. Assessment of Suicidal Behavior in a Psychiatric Emergency Room in Lisbon,. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2015 Jul. 10 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];28(4):469-73. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/5888