Attempted suicide: prognostic factors and estimated excess mortality

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the epidemiological profile of individuals that attempted suicide from 2003 to 2009 in Barbacena, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, to calculate the mortality rate from suicide and other causes, and to estimate the risk of death in these individuals. Data were collected from police reports and death certificates. Survival analysis was performed and Cox multiple regression was used. Among the 807 individuals that attempted suicide, there were 52 deaths: 12 by suicide, 10 from external causes, and 30 from other causes. Ninety percent of suicide deaths occurred within 24 months after the attempt. Risk of death was significantly greater in males, married individuals, and individuals over 60 years of age. Standardized mortality ratio showed excess mortality by suicide. The findings showed that the mortality rate among patients that had attempted suicide was higher than expected in the general population, indicating the need to improve health care for these individuals.