Dicembre 2010 - Volume XXIX - numero 10

Medico e Bambino


Ricerca

Epidemiologia degli autolesionismi e dei comportamenti
suicidari in adolescenza

Caterina Zanus, Sara Battistutta, Marcella Montico, Silvana Cremaschi, Marco Carrozzi

1SCO di Neuropsichiatria Infantile e Neurologia Pediatrica, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste
2Servizio di Epidemiologia Clinica e Biostatistica, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste
3SOC di Neuropsichiatria dell’Infanzia e dell’Adolescenza, ASS 4, Udine

Indirizzo per corrispondenza: carrozzi@burlo.trieste.it

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS IN ADOLESCENCE

Key words: Self-harm, Suicide attempt, Adolescence, Emergency Unit

Background - Deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts are recognised as a growing health problem in adolescence. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies show a considerable variability in rates due to the difficulties in defining and recognizing suicidal behaviours. Objectives - The present study aims at estimating the rate of self-harm and suicide attempts among adolescents in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy) and describing the characteristics of suicidal behaviours, in order to identify adequate strategies of intervention. Materials and methods - We considered all the adolescents (aged from 11 to 18) admitted to the Emergency Units of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region during 2005-2006. At first, a keyword selection had been carried out on an electronic data base. Afterwards, a more detailed analysis was performed, by reviewing each original medical report of the selected cases. Results - 120 adolescents who self-harmed and/or attempted suicide have been identified (rate of prevalence: 78/100,000 in 2005; 88/100,000 in 2006). Drug poisoning was the most frequent method. As far as the outcome is concerned, the study revealed that a specific neuropsychiatric engagement in ongoing treatment was rarely activated (9%). Conclusions - This study demonstrates and underlines the importance of detecting the right procedures to identify and manage suicidal behaviours efficiently. To this end, we propose to create a regional data base by means of an electronic schedule able to help the medical staff of emergency services collect the data and evaluate the different cases. This instrument will facilitate the communication with the other Emergency Units of the Region.

Vuoi citare questo contributo?

C. Zanus, S. Battistutta, M. Montico, S. Cremaschi, M. Carrozzi
Epidemiologia degli autolesionismi e dei comportamenti; suicidari in adolescenza
Medico e Bambino 2010;29(10):645-653 https://www.medicoebambino.com/?id=1010_645.pdf


L'accesso è riservato agli abbonati alla rivista che si siano registrati.
Per accedere all'articolo in formato full text è necessario inserire username e password.
Puoi accedere all'articolo abbonandoti alla rivista (link). Per acquistare l'articolo contattare la redazione all'indirizzo abbonamenti@medicoebambino.com.

Username
Password