Hospitalization for Suicide Attempt and Completed Suicide: Epidemiological Features in a Managed Care Population

Sociodemographic & medical predictors of attempted suicide & suicide were examined in a large population-based sample from a health maintenance organization in northern California. A cohort study included 87,257 women & 70,570 men aged 15-89 year at baseline (1977-1985) with follow-up for hospitalizations & mortality through 1993. After a median of 10 years, 169 first hospitalizations for attempted suicide & 319 suicides were identified. Some predictors for attempted suicide were age 15-24 years (women) 65-89 years (men), history of emotional problems, & 12th grade or less education. Independent predictors of suicide included age 15-24 years, never being married, & prior inpatient hospitalization for suicide attempt. (46 refs.) JA