Clinical features of suicide attempts in adults with autism spectrum disorders

• Published in: General hospital psychiatry Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 50 - 53
• Main Authors: Kato, Koji, M.D, Mikami, Katsunaka, M.D., Ph.D, Akama, Fumiaki, M.D, Yamada, Keigo, M.D, Maehara, Mizuki, M.D, Kimoto, Keitaro, M.D, Kimoto, Kousuke, M.D, Sato, Reiko, M.D, Takahashi, Yuki, M.D, Fukushima, Ryoko, M.D, Ichimura, Atsushi, M.D., Ph.D, Matsumoto, Hideo, M.D., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adjustment Disorders - psychology; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Adults; Autism spectrum disorders; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - psychology; Emergency room; Female; Humans; Japan; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Mood Disorders - epidemiology; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Retrospective Studies; Suicide; Suicide attempts; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Asia; Japan; Autism spectrum disorders; Suicide attempts; Emergency room; Adults; Human; Social environment; Mental health; Clinical form; Developmental disorder; Retrospective; Suicide attempt; Autism; Pervasive developmental disorder; Emergency department; Young adult; Adult; Public health
• ISSN: 0163-8343; 1873-7714
• DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.09.006

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and clinical features of suicide attempts in adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Methods We enrolled 587 consecutive patients aged 18 or over who attempted suicide and were hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Psychiatric diagnoses, suicide attempt frequency and clinical features were compared between ASD and non-ASD patients. Results Forty-three (7.3%) of the 587 subjects who attempted suicide had ASDs. The incidence of patients with mood disorders was significantly lower (Fisher's Exact Test, P = .043) and that of those with an adjustment disorder was significantly higher (Fisher's Exact Test, P < .001) in the ASD group than in the non-ASD group. The average length of stay at both the hospital and intensive care unit in the ASD group was longer than that in the non-ASD group ( z =−2.031, P = .042; z =−2.322, P = .020, respectively). Conclusions ASDs should always be a consideration when dealing with suicide attempts in adults at the emergency room.