Repetition of Suicide Attempts

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M. Bertolote ◽  
Alexandra Fleischmann ◽  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Michael R. Phillips ◽  
Neury J. Botega ◽  
...  

Background: Attempted suicide is a strong risk factor for subsequent suicidal behaviors. Innovative strategies to deal with people who have attempted suicide are needed, particularly in resource-poor settings. Aims: To evaluate a brief educational intervention and periodic follow-up contacts (BIC) for suicide attempters in five culturally different sites (Campinas, Brazil; Chennai, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran; and Yuncheng, People’s Republic of China) as part of the WHO Multisite Intervention Study on Suicidal Behaviors (SUPRE-MISS). Methods: Among the 1,867 suicide attempters enrolled in the emergency departments of the participating sites, 922 (49.4%) were randomly assigned to a brief intervention and contact (BIC) group and 945 (50.6%) to a treatment as usual (TAU) group. Repeated suicide attempts over the 18 months following the index attempt – the secondary outcome measure presented in this paper – were identified by follow-up calls or visits. Subsequent completed suicide – the primary outcome measure – has been reported in a previous paper. Results: Overall, the proportion of subjects with repeated suicide attempts was similar in the BIC and TAU groups (7.6% vs. 7.5%, χ² = 0.013; p = .909), but there were differences in rates across the five sites. Conclusions: This study from five low- and middle-income countries does not confirm the effectiveness of brief educational intervention and follow-up contacts for suicide attempters in reducing subsequent repetition of suicide attempts up to 18 months after discharge from emergency departments.

1991 ◽  
Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1317-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Clum ◽  
Richard L. Luscomb ◽  
Anne T. Patsiokas

The question of whether high stress leads to attempting suicide (parasuicide) or suicide attempters are more likely to report high stress was examined in a one-year follow-up study of 98 persons, 47 of whom had attempted suicide. Cross-lagged panel correlations between stress and parasuicide provided both concurrent and predictive validity that stress as measured by life changes leads to parasuicide. A high relationship between stress at baseline and stress at follow-up provided support for the notion that some individuals experience chronic stress and that such individuals may be the ones at risk for future suicide attempts.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e031548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Justin Waring ◽  
Li-chia Chen ◽  
Kristian Pollock ◽  
Josie Solomon ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPeople who are marginalised (medically underserved) experience significant health disparities and their voices are often ‘seldom heard’. Interventions to improve professional awareness and engagement with these groups are urgently needed. This study uses a co-production approach to develop an online digital educational intervention in order to improve pharmacy staffs’ intention to offer a community pharmacy medication review service to medically underserved groups.DesignBefore/after (3 months) self-completion online questionnaire.SettingCommunity pharmacies in the Nottinghamshire (England) geographical area.ParticipantsCommunity pharmacy staff.InterventionOnline digital educational intervention.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was ‘behaviour change intention’ using a validated 12-item survey measure. The secondary outcome measure was pharmacist self-reported recruitment of underserved groups to the medication review service.ResultsAll pharmacies in the Nottinghamshire area (n=237) were approached in June 2017 and responses were received from 149 staff (from 122 pharmacies). At 3 months (after completing the baseline questionnaire), 96 participants (from 80 pharmacies) completed a follow-up questionnaire, of which two-thirds (n=62) reported completing the e-learning. A before/after comparison analysis found an improving trend in all the five constructs of behaviour change intention (intention, social influence, beliefs about capabilities, moral norms and beliefs about consequences), with a significant increase in mean score of participants’ ‘beliefs about capabilities’ (0.44; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.76, p=0.009). In the short-term, no significant change was detected in the number of patients being offered and the patient completing a medication review.ConclusionsAlthough increases in the numbers of patients being offered a medication review was not detected, the intervention has the potential to significantly improve pharmacy professionals’ 'beliefs about capabilities' in the short-term. Wider organisational and policy barriers to engagement with marginasied groups may need to be addressed. Future research should focus on the interplay between digital learning and practice to better identify and understand effective practice change pathways.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5;18 (5;9) ◽  
pp. 459-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Jay

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among laboratory technicians and work-related stress may aggravate the problem. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a multifaceted worksite intervention on pain and stress among laboratory technicians with chronic musculoskeletal pain using individually tailored physical and cognitive elements. Study Design: This trial uses a single-blind randomized controlled design with allocation concealment in a 2-armed parallel group format among laboratory technicians. The trial “Implementation of physical exercise at the Workplace (IRMA09) – Laboratory technicians“ was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov prior to participant enrolment. Setting: The study was conducted at the head division of a large private pharmaceutical company’s research and development department in Denmark. The study duration was March 2014 (baseline) to July 2014 (follow-up). Methods: Participants (n = 112) were allocated to receive either physical, cognitive, and mindfulness group-based training (PCMT group) or a reference group (REF) for 10 weeks at the worksite. PCMT consisted of 4 major elements: 1) resistance training individually tailored to the pain affected area, 2) motor control training, 3) mindfulness, and 4) cognitive and behavioral therapy/education. Participants of the REF group were encouraged to follow ongoing company health initiatives. The predefined primary outcome measure was pain intensity (VAS scale 0 – 10) in average of the regions: neck, shoulder, lower and upper back, elbow, and hand at 10 week follow-up. The secondary outcome measure was stress assessed by Cohen´s perceived stress questionnaire. In addition, an explorative dose-response analysis was performed on the adherence to PCMT with pain and stress, respectively, as outcome measures. Results: A significant (P < 0.0001) treatment by time interaction in pain intensity was observed with a between-group difference at follow-up of -1.0 (95%CI: -1.4 to -0.6). No significant effect on stress was observed (treatment by time P = 0.16). Exploratory analyses for each body region separately showed significant pain reductions of the neck, shoulders, upper back and lower back, as well as a tendency for hand pain. Within the PCMT group, general linear models adjusted for age, baseline pain, and stress levels showed significant associations for the change in pain with the number of physical-cognitive training sessions per week (-0.60 [95%CI -0.95 to -0.25]) and the number of mindfulness sessions (0.15 [95%CI 0.02 to 0.18]). No such associations were found with the change in stress as outcome. Limitations: Limitations of behavioral interventions include the inability to blind participants to which intervention they receive. Self-reported outcomes are a limitation as they may be influenced by placebo effects and outcome expectations


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Burgess ◽  
Kerrianne Watt ◽  
Roy M Kimble ◽  
Cate M Cameron

BACKGROUND New technologies, widespread availability of the internet, the rise of social media and increased ownership of smartphones provide new opportunities for health researchers to communicate and engage with target audiences. OBJECTIVE This new technology was used to recruit mothers of young children to a smartphone application (app) to increase their knowledge about childhood burns (specifically hot beverage scalds) and correct burn first-aid. This six-month intervention deployed on the Cool Runnings app, used gamification techniques to reinforce intervention messages and engage participants. METHODS A two-group, parallel, single blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone app-based burn prevention intervention. Participants were women aged 18+, living in Queensland, Australia, with at least one child aged 5-12 months at the time of enrolment. The primary outcome measure was change in knowledge around burn risk and correct burn first-aid assessed via two methods: overall score; and categorised as adequate (score =4) vs inadequate (score less than 4). The secondary outcome measure was the efficacy of gamification techniques (measured by: app opens, photo uploads, pop quiz completions and content views). RESULTS In total, 498 participants were recruited via social media and enrolled. At 6-month follow-up, 244 participants completed the post-test questionnaire. Attrition rates in both groups were similar. Participants who remained in the study did not differ from those who were lost to follow up on any characteristics except for education level. Although similar at baseline, intervention group participants achieved significantly greater improvement in overall knowledge post-test than control group participants on both primary outcome measures (overall knowledge intervention: mean=2.68± 1.00 vs control mean:2.13±1.03; intervention: 20.47% adequate vs control: 7.3%). Consequently, the NNT was 7.46. Logistic regression showed participants exposed to the highest level of disadvantage were 7.3 times more likely to improve overall knowledge scores than participants in other levels of disadvantage. There were also significant correlations between each of the four gamification techniques and knowledge change (p<0.001). In addition, participants with low/moderate ‘app activity’ were 8.59 times more likely to have improved knowledge between baseline and 6-month follow-up than those who had no app activity (95%CI=2.9-25.02); participants with high app activity were 18.26 times more likely to have improved knowledge (95%CI=7.1-46.8). CONCLUSIONS Despite substantial loss to follow-up, this RCT demonstrates the Cool Runnings app was an effective intervention for improving knowledge about hot beverage scald risks and burn first-aid in mothers of young children. The benefits of combining gamification elements in the intervention were also highlighted. Given the low cost and large reach of smartphone apps to deliver content to, and engage with targeted populations, results from this RCT provides important information on how smartphone applications can be used for widespread injury prevention campaigns, and public health campaigns generally. CLINICALTRIAL This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000019404)


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e110-115
Author(s):  
Atef M. Darwish

Objectives: Imperforate hymen (IH) is a common genital tract anomaly in women which usually presents after puberty. However, surgical treatment is often considered controversial in religious or conservative communities for sociocultural reasons. This study therefore aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel reconstructive technique involving the preservation of the annular hymen. Methods: This prospective interventional study was performed between July 2013 and October 2019 at the minimally invasive surgery unit of a tertiary university hospital in Egypt. A total of 36 women presenting with primary amenorrhoea and haematocolpus were diagnosed with postpubertal IH. A circular hymenotomy was performed on each patient using a 10 mm laparoscopy trocar tip and sleeve to form a new annular hymen under general anaesthesia while preserving the annular hymen. The primary outcome measure was the persistence of hymenal patency and integrity at follow-up. The secondary outcome measure included post-operative patient satisfaction and pain relief. Results: The reported technique was feasible in all cases without intraoperative complications. Patency of the reconstructed annular hymen was confirmed at follow-up in all cases; moreover, no intraoperative complications were reported. There was a significant post-operative improvement in pain scores (P <0.001). Both the patients and their parents/guardians reported a high level of satisfaction with the technique. Conclusion: This novel technique for the correction of IH involving the reconstruction of an annular hymen was found to be a safe, minimally invasive and effective procedure. This technique should be considered a feasible alternative to a conventional hymenotomy as it allows for the resumption of normal hymenal anatomy without overtreatment.   KEYWORDS Congenital Abnormalities; Imperforate Hymen; Hematocolpos; Amenorrhea; Colpotomy; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Treatment Outcome; Egypt.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 802-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind G. Kulkarni ◽  
Sandeep Tapashetti ◽  
Viraj S. Tambwekar

Study Design: Technical note. Objectives: Coccygectomy for chronic coccydynia has a high rate of successful clinical outcome. However, the procedure is associated with increased incidence of wound dehiscence and surgical site infection. The main objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of coccygectomy using the Z plasty technique of wound closure. Methods: Patients with chronic coccydynia refractory to conservative treatment underwent coccygectomy followed by Z plasty technique of wound closure between January 2013 and February 2018. Primary outcome measure was evaluation of the wound healing in the postoperative period and at follow-up; secondary outcome measure included visual analogue scale (VAS) score for coccygeal pain. Results: Ten patients (male:female 6:4) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 40.78 years (range 19-55 years). The mean follow-up was 1.75 years (range 6 months to 5 years). All wounds healed well with no incidence of wound dehiscence or surgical site infections. The mean VAS improved from 7.33 ± 0.5 to 2.11 ± 1.2 ( P < .05). Nine patients reported excellent outcomes and 1 patient reported poor outcome with regards to relief from coccydynia. Conclusion: Z plasty technique of wound closure is recommended as procedure of choice to avoid wound healing problems and surgical site infections associated with coccygectomy. Coccygectomy remains a successful treatment modality for chronic coccydynia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36
Author(s):  
William Buwembo ◽  
Ian Guyton Munabi ◽  
Mark Kaddumukasa ◽  
Haruna Kiryowa ◽  
Muhammad Mbabali ◽  
...  

Background . Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis have similar epidemiology and pathophysiology. Understanding the interaction between these two diseases is vital in our settings. We set out to assess the effect of oral hygiene interventions on disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis patients with periodontitis in Kampala, Uganda. Methods. Fifty-eight patients attending an arthritis clinic with rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at least two years before, who were on the same medication, dose, or formulation for RA treatment during the preceding three months, were included. The patients were >18 years of age, would be available for all the study visits in the next six months, had at least six natural teeth, had periodontal disease classified as Dutch Periodontal Index (DPSI) >3 and provided written informed consent. Those who had a chronic disorder requiring chronic or intermittent use of antibiotics, were pregnant, were lactating, or had intent to become pregnant were excluded. The primary outcome measure was a change in Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS28 score) in two 3-month follow-up periods after the intervention. The secondary outcome measure was a change in periodontal status. Results. There was a statistically significant improvement in the DAS-28 score in both the intervention and control arms during the follow-up period (P<0.01). The participants carrying more than one bacterial species had worse DAS-28 scores. Conclusion. Oral hygiene interventions given to RA patients could drastically improve their RA treatment outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kayoumars Azizpour ◽  
Pieter Schutte ◽  
Mark P. Arts ◽  
Willem Pondaag ◽  
Gerrit J. Bouma ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE The most advocated surgical technique to treat symptoms of isthmic spondylolisthesis is decompression with instrumented fusion. A less-invasive classical approach has also been reported, which consists of decompression only. In this study the authors compared the clinical outcomes of decompression only with those of decompression with instrumented fusion in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis. METHODS Eighty-four patients with lumbar radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication secondary to low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis were randomly assigned to decompression only (n = 43) or decompression with instrumented fusion (n = 41). Primary outcome parameters were scores on the Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), separate visual analog scales (VASs) for back pain and leg pain, and patient report of perceived recovery at 12-week and 2-year follow-ups. The proportion of reoperations was scored as a secondary outcome measure. Repeated measures ANOVA according to the intention-to-treat principle was performed. RESULTS Decompression alone did not show superiority in terms of disability scores at 12-week follow-up (p = 0.32, 95% CI −4.02 to 1.34), nor in any other outcome measure. At 2-year follow-up, RDQ disability scores improved more in the fusion group (10.3, 95% CI 3.9–8.2, vs 6.0, 95% CI 8.2–12.4; p = 0.006, 95% CI −7.3 to −1.3). Likewise, back pain decreased more in the fusion group (difference: −18.3 mm, CI −32.1 to −4.4, p = 0.01) on a 100-mm VAS scale, and a higher proportion of patients perceived recovery as showing “good results” (44% vs 74%, p = 0.01). Cumulative probabilities for reoperation were 47% in the decompression and 13% in the fusion group (p < 0.001) at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis, decompression with instrumented fusion resulted in comparable short-term results, significantly better long-term outcomes, and fewer reoperations than decompression alone. Decompression with instrumented fusion is a superior surgical technique that should in general be offered as a first treatment option for isthmic spondylolisthesis, but not for degenerative spondylolisthesis, which has a different etiology.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Christiansen ◽  
Børge Frank Jensen

Objective: This study was undertaken in order to estimate the incidence of repetition of suicide attempt, suicide and all deaths, and to analyse the influence of psychiatric illness and socio-demographic factors on these. Method: The study is a Danish register-based survival analysis that retrieved personal data on socio-economic, psychiatric and mortality conditions from various registers. Hazards were estimated using Cox regression with a time-dependence covariate. Suicide-attempters (2.614) and non-attempters (39.210)were analysed being matched by gender, age and place of residence. Results: The average follow-up period for suicide-attempters was 3.88 years, during which 271 (10.37%) of them died. By comparison, death occurred four times more often among suicide-attempters than among non-attempters. Suicide was far more common among attempters (61, 2.33%) than among non-attempters (16, 0.04%). A proportion of the attempters (31.33%) repeated their attempt within the follow-up period. The most reliable predictors for suicide and death were repetition, suicide attempt method and treatment for mental illness. The most reliable predictors for repetition were age, gender and mental illness. Discussion: Individuals with a history of suicide attempts form a well-defined high-risk group for suicide, and are in need of treatment immediately after the episode. Somatic and psychiatric staff must be informed about the risk factors for subsequent suicidal behaviour after an episode of attempted suicide. Furthermore, departments that are in contact with suicidal individuals need action plans to ensure that all such individuals are discharged to proper treatment immediately after the suicide attempt.


Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie De Munck ◽  
Gwendolyn Portzky ◽  
Kees Van Heeringen

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.


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