J Kielty1, A van Laar2, M Davoren2, L Conlon1, A Hillick2, C McDonald1, B Hallahan1. 1. 1Department of Psychiatry,Clinical Science Institute,National University of Ireland Galway,Galway,Ireland. 2. 2Department of Psychiatry,University Hospital Galway,Galway,Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of individuals known to the mental health services, who died by probable suicide in the West of Ireland. METHODS: Postmortem reports between January 2006 and May 2012 detailed 153 individuals who died by probable suicide, 58 of whom attended the mental health services. Relevant socio-demographic and clinical data was extracted from individuals' lifetime case notes. RESULTS: Recurrent depressive disorder (44%) was the most common diagnosis and hanging the most common method of death (58%). Of individuals who died by hanging, 79% previously attempted suicide by the same method. For individuals with a documented history of depression, only 32% had antidepressants detected in their toxicology reports. Similarly, only one individual (20%) with schizophrenia had antipsychotics detected in their toxicology report. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who died by probable suicide, most commonly died by hanging and drowning; with previous attempts of hanging particularly prevalent in the group who subsequently died by hanging. At the time of death, less than one-third of individuals according to toxicology reports were taking the medication that was last prescribed to them by the mental health services suggesting a high rate of treatment non-concordance in individuals who died by probable suicide.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of individuals known to the mental health services, who died by probable suicide in the West of Ireland. METHODS: Postmortem reports between January 2006 and May 2012 detailed 153 individuals who died by probable suicide, 58 of whom attended the mental health services. Relevant socio-demographic and clinical data was extracted from individuals' lifetime case notes. RESULTS: Recurrent depressive disorder (44%) was the most common diagnosis and hanging the most common method of death (58%). Of individuals who died by hanging, 79% previously attempted suicide by the same method. For individuals with a documented history of depression, only 32% had antidepressants detected in their toxicology reports. Similarly, only one individual (20%) with schizophrenia had antipsychotics detected in their toxicology report. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who died by probable suicide, most commonly died by hanging and drowning; with previous attempts of hanging particularly prevalent in the group who subsequently died by hanging. At the time of death, less than one-third of individuals according to toxicology reports were taking the medication that was last prescribed to them by the mental health services suggesting a high rate of treatment non-concordance in individuals who died by probable suicide.
Authors: C McMorrow; D Nerney; N Cullen; J Kielty; A VanLaar; M Davoren; L Conlon; C Brodie; C McDonald; B Hallahan Journal: Eur Psychiatry Date: 2022-01-24 Impact factor: 5.361