A Comparison of Severely Injured Patients after Suicide Attempts and Violent Crimes-A Retrospective Study of a Level 1 Trauma Center.

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