Suicide by burning: a retrospective review of the Akron Regional Burn Center.

At the Akron Regional Burn Center from January 1978 through March 1995, 36 cases of attempted suicide by burning were identified in 34 patients. The overall incidence rate was 1 per cent of all burn center admissions to this institution. Of these patients, 21 of 34 were male and 13 of 34 were female. There were 10 of 34 lethal cases. A high incidence of prior psychiatric illness was identified. In all, 22 of 34 patients had a prior psychiatric diagnosis. Depression was the most common psychiatric diagnosis by history. The method most commonly used was a flame with the addition of a flammable liquid. These results are presented, discussed and compared to a review of the literature on the topic.