Clin Pract. 2024 Jul 26;14(4):1468-1477. doi: 10.3390/clinpract14040118.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Seriously injured persons with pre-existing psychiatric conditions or those injured due to violent crimes represent a particularly vulnerable treatment group.

METHODS: All patients with injuries from suicidal attempts (PSAs) or patients with injuries from violent offenses (PVOs) that presented to the university emergency room of a Level 1 trauma center in Germany between 1 January 2017 and 31 November 2022 were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS: It can be seen that PVOs were significantly younger compared to PSAs (p = 0.03). Total hospital stay was significantly longer for PSAs compared to PVOs (p < 0.001). PSAs were also significantly more severely injured than PVOs (p < 0.001). Our study was able to show a significant difference between both patient groups in the region of injury (p < 0.001). PSAs had a significantly more extensive psychiatric history than PVOs (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Injuries from suicide attempts and violent offenses are a serious and growing public health problem, but one that can be addressed through timely, evidence-based, and often cost-effective interventions. It requires early interaction among multiple disciplines and a standardized approach.

PMID:39194922 | DOI:10.3390/clinpract14040118