Mortality and Suicide After Non-Fatal Self-Poisoning: 16-Year Outcome Study

A retrospective single-group cohort study was done with 976 consecutive patients attending a large accident & emergency unit in 1985-1986 after non-fatal self-poisoning. Information about deaths was determined from the Office for National Statistics. Of the original patients, 94% were traced 16 years later; 17% had died, 3.5% by probable suicide. Subsequent suicide was related to numerous factors evident at the time of the episode of self-poisoning but, when examined for their independent effects, only the severity of the self-poisoning episode & relevant previous history seemed important. (27 refs.)