Is It Correct to Consider Caustic Ingestion as a Nonviolent Method of Suicide? A Retrospective Analysis and Psychological Considerations
Abstract
:1. Introduction
- (1)
- We first wanted to investigate the differences in terms of socio-demographic, clinical and suicide-related features between caustic ingestion and other chemical ingestion. In research, caustic ingestion and chemical ingestion are commonly treated as the same suicide method, although the similarities and differences between these methods have not yet been explored in depth.
- (2)
- In the second analysis, we compared caustic ingestion victims to violent suicides to better understand the relationship between these two suicide methods. Similar to step (1), we analyzed socio-demographic, clinical and suicide-related features.
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Caustic vs. Chemical Suicides
3.1.1. Socio-Demographic Features
3.1.2. Clinical Features
3.1.3. Suicide-Related Features
3.1.4. Univariate Logistic Regression
3.2. Caustic vs. Violent Suicides
3.2.1. Socio-Demographic Features
3.2.2. Clinical Features
3.2.3. Suicide-Related Features
3.2.4. Univariate Logistic Regression
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Limitations
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Category | Chemical | Common Name | Use |
---|---|---|---|
Strong acids (pH < 2) | sulfuric acid | vitriol | detergent; in batteries |
hydrochloric acid | muriatic | detergent | |
nitric acid | etching | detergent | |
phosphoric acid | detergent | ||
oxalic acid | anti-rust | ||
Strong bases (pH > 12) | sodium hydroxide | caustic soda | detergent |
potassium hydroxide | caustic potash | detergent | |
ammonium hydroxide | ammonia | detergent | |
Oxidizing agents | sodium hypochlorite | bleach | whitener |
phenols | |||
tincture of iodine | |||
hydrogen peroxide | hydrogen peroxide | whitener | |
potassium permanganate |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–2 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Group 3 (n = 3962) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–3 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Total Sample (n = 4462) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SEX | 2.83 (1), 0.09 | 11.06 (1), 0.001 | ||||
Men | 19 (47.5%) | 281 (61.1%) | 2830 (71.4%) | 3130 (70.1%) | ||
Women | 21 (52.5%) | 179 (38.9%) | 1132 (28.6) | 1332 (29.9%) | ||
AGE | 56.82 ± 16.36 | 47.43 ± 16.16 | −3.56, <0.001 | 51.73 ± 19.31 | −1.83, 0.07 | 51.33 ± 19.03 |
ETHNICITY | 0.11 (1), 0.74 | 0.54 (1), 0.46 | ||||
WHITE CAUCASIAN | 39 (97.5%) | 444 (96.5%) | 3731 (94.9%) | 4214 (94.4%) | ||
Albanian | - | - | 17 (0.4%) | 17 (0.4%) | ||
Austrian | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
American | - | 1 (0.2%) | 3 (0.08%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Bosnian | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Bulgarian | - | - | 5 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Canadian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Czech | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Croatian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Danish | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) | ||
English | - | 4 (0.9%) | 17 (0.4%) | 21 (0.05%) | ||
Estonian | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Finnish | - | 1 (0.2%) | 1 (0.03%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
French | - | - | 8 (0.2%) | 8 (0.02%) | ||
Georgian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
German | 1 (2.5%) | 4 (0.9%) | 15 (0.4%) | 20 (0.05%) | ||
Greek | - | 1 (0.2%) | 3 (0.08%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Hungarian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 2 (0.05%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Italian | 37 (92.5) | 419 (91.1%) | 3549 (89.6%) | 4005 (89.8%) | ||
Latvian | 1 (2.5%) | - | 2 (0.05%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Maltese | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Norwegian | - | 2 (0.4%) | 1 (0.03%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Dutch | - | - | 3 (0.1%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Polish | - | 3 (0.7%) | 8 (0.2%) | 11 (0.2%) | ||
Poland | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Portuguese | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Romanian | - | 2 (0.4%) | 33 (0.8%) | 35 (0.8%) | ||
Russian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 3 (0.08%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Slovak | - | 2 (0.4%) | - | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Slovenian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Somali | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Spanish | - | 1 (0.2%) | 14 (0.4%) | 15 (0.3%) | ||
Swedish | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Swiss | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Ukrainian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 19 (0.5%) | 20 (0.5%) | ||
OTHER ETHNICITIES | 1 (2.5%) | 16 (3.5%) | 199 (5.1%) | 216 (4.8%) | ||
Afghan | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Algerian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 5 (0.1%) | 6 (0.1%) | ||
Angolan | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Arab | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 11 (0.3%) | 13 (0.3%) | ||
Argentinian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 2 (0.05%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Armenian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Bangladeshi | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Bolivian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Brazilian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) | ||
Burundian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Chilean | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Chinese | - | 1 (0.2%) | 12 (0.3%) | 13 (0.3%) | ||
Colombian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Korean | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Cuban | - | - | 6 (0.2%) | 6 (0.1%) | ||
Ecuadorian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Egyptian | - | - | 15 (0.4%) | 15 (0.03%) | ||
Eritrean | - | - | 5 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Ethiopian | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Philippine | - | - | 15 (0.4%) | 15 (0.03%) | ||
Gambles | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Ghanaian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Japanese | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Guinean | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Haitian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Indian | - | 1 (0.2%) | 5 (0.1%) | 6 (0.1%) | ||
Indonesian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Iranian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Ivorian | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Kazaks | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Kenyan | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Malian | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.09%) | ||
Moroccan | - | 3 (0.7%) | 15 (0.4%) | 18 (0.04%) | ||
Moldavian | - | - | 5 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Mozambican | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Nepalese | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Nigerian | - | 2 (0.4%) | 3 (0.08%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Pakistani | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) | ||
Paraguayan | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Peruvian | - | 3 (0.7%) | 10 (0.3%) | 13 (0.3%) | ||
Salvadoran | - | - | 5 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Senegalese | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Sinhalese | - | - | 9 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) | ||
Tunisian | - | - | 3 (0.08%) | 3 (0.07%) | ||
Turkish | - | - | 7 (0.2%) | 7 (0.02%) | ||
Venezuelan | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) | ||
Zambezian | - | - | 2 (0.05%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–2 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U test, p | Group 3 (n = 3962) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–3 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U test, p | Total Sample (n = 4462) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEDICAL HISTORY | 36 (90%) | 366 (79.6%) | 2.54 (1), 0.11 | 3098 (78.2%) | 3.25 (1), 0.07 | 3500 (78.4%) |
SINGLE DISEASE | 20 (55.6%) | 242 (66.1%) | 1.61 (1), 0.2 | 2103 (67.9%) | 2.48 (1), 0.12 | 2365 (53%) |
MULTIPLE DISEASE | 16 (44.4%) | 124 (33.9%) | 995 (32.1%) | 1135 (25.4%) | ||
MEAN NUMBER OF DISEASES | 1.58 ± 1.2 | 1.18 ± 0.9 | −2.14, 0.03 | 1.11 ± 0.85 | −2.63, 0.009 | 1.12 ± 0.86 |
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER | 33 (82.5%) a | 309 (67.2%) a | 4.0 (1), 0.05 b | 2564 (64.7%) a | 5.5 (1), 0.02 b | 2906 (65.1%) a |
Depression | 28 (70%) | 249 (54.1%) | 2114 (53.4%) | 2391 (53.5%) | ||
Bipolar Disorder | 1 (2.5%) | 9 (2%) | 88 (2.2%) | 98 (2.2%) | ||
Psychotic Disorder | 5 (12.5%) | 36 (7.8%) | 267 (6.7%) | 308 (6.9%) | ||
Anorexia Nervosa | - | 6 (1.3%) | 23 (0.6%) | 29 (0.6%) | ||
Personality Disorder | - | 4 (0.9%) | - | 4 (0.1%) | ||
Anxiety Disorder | - | 4 (0.9%) | 91 (2.3%) | 95 (2.1%) | ||
Alcoholism | 2 (5%) | 24 (5.2%) | 163 (4.1%) | 189 (4.2%) | ||
Addiction | - | 34 (7.4%) | 195 (4.9%) | 229 (5.1%) | ||
Organic mental disorders (Autism, Mental retardation, Dementia) | - | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) | ||
Multiple psychiatric disorders | 3 (7.5%) | 47 (10.2%) | 339 (8.6%) | 389 (18.7%) | ||
MEAN NUMBER OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS | 0.9 ± 0.5 | 0.8 ± 0.68 | −1.41, 0.16 | 0.7 ± 0.64 | −1.91, 0.06 | 0.8 ± 0.64 |
ORGANIC DISEASE | 16 (40%) a | 129 (28%) a | 2.56 (1), 0.11 b | 1089 (27.5%) a | 3.1 (1), 0.08 b | 1234 (27.7%) a |
Infectious and parasitic diseases | 1 (2.5%) | 23 (5%) | 106 (2.7%) | 130 (2.9%) | ||
Neoplasms | 3 (7.5%) | 26 (5.7%) | 285 (7.2%) | 314 (7%) | ||
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases | 2 (5%) | 28 (6.1) | 168 (4.2) | 198 (4.4%) | ||
Diseases of the nervous system | 3 (7.5%) | 17 (3.7%) | 111 (2.8) | 131 (2.9%) | ||
Diseases of the eye and adnexa | 1 (2.5%) | 2 (0.4%) | 28 (0.7%) | 31 (0.7%) | ||
Diseases of the ear and mastoid process | - | 1 (0.2%) | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) | ||
Diseases of the circulatory system | 6 (15%) | 40 (8.7%) | 428 (10.8%) | 474 (10.6%) | ||
Diseases of the respiratory system | 1 (2.5%) | 10 (2.2%) | 85 (2.1%) | 96 (2.2%) | ||
Diseases of the digestive system | 1 (2.5%) | 13 (2.8%) | 60 (1.5%) | 74 (1.7%) | ||
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue | - | - | 4 (0.1) | 4 (0.1%) | ||
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue | 1 (2.5%) | 5 (1.1%) | 42 (1.1%) | 48 (1.1%) | ||
Diseases of the genitourinary system | 1 (2.5%) | - | 23 (0.6%) | 24 (0.5%) | ||
Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities | 1 (2.5%) | - | 3 (0.1%) | 4 (0.1%) | ||
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services | - | 7 (1.5%) | 32 (0.8%) | 39 (0.9%) | ||
Multiple organic disorders | 5 (12.5%) | 36 (90%) | 276 (8.2%) | 317 (7.1%) | ||
MEAN NUMBER OF ORGANIC DISEASES | 0.68 ± 1.12 | 0.39 ± 0.7 | −1.67, 0.1 | 0.37 ± 0.67 | −1.85, 0.06 | 0.4 ± 0.7 |
ANY MEDICATION | 24 (60%) | 264 (57.4%) | 0.10 (1), 0.75 c | 2108 (53.2%) | 0.73 (1), 0.39 | 2396 (53.7%) |
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION | 21 (52.5%) | 235 (51.1%) | 0.03 (1), 0.86 c | 1726 (43.6%) | 1.29 (1), 0.26 | 1982 (44.4%) |
OTHER MEDICATION | 5 (12.5%) | 44 (9.6%) | 0.36 (1), 0.55 c | 472 (11.9%) | 0.01 (1), 0.91 | 521 (11.7%) |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 3 (n = 3962) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Total Sample (n = 4462) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|---|
ORGANIC DISEASE | 16 (40%) * | 129 (28%) * | 1089 (27.5%) * | 1234 (27.7%) * |
Infectious and parasitic diseases | ||||
HIV+ | - | 12 (2.6%) | 47 (1.2%) | 59 (1.3%) |
AIDS | - | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
Poliomyelitis | - | 2 (0.4%) | 4 (0.1%) | 6 (0.1%) |
HBV | 1 (2.5%) | - | 8 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
HCV | - | 11 (2.4%) | 50 (1.3%) | 61 (1.4%) |
Neoplasms | ||||
Tumor cachexia | - | 1 (0.2%) | 1 (0.03%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Leukemia | - | 1 (0.2%) | 6 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Neoplasms of skin | - | - | 2 (0.1%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system | - | 2 (0.4%) | 15 (0.4%) | 17 (0.4%) |
Neoplasms of female genital organs | 2 (5%) | - | 19 (0.5%) | 21 (0.5%) |
Neoplasms of male genital organs | - | 4 (0.9%) | 37 (0.9%) | 41 (0.9%) |
Neoplasms of digestive organs | 1 (2.5%) | 6 (1.3%) | 109 (2.8%) | 116 (2.6%) |
Neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs | - | 1 (0.2%) | 39 (1%) | 40 (0.9%) |
Neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx | - | - | 23 (0.6%) | 23 (0.5%) |
Neoplasms of breast | - | 5 (1.1%) | 24 (0.6%) | 29 (0.6%) |
Neoplasms of the bone | - | 3 (0.7%) | 4 (0.1%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Neoplasms of thyroid and other endocrine glands | - | - | 6 (0.2%) | 6 (0.1%) |
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases | ||||
Hyperlipidemia/ Dyslipidemia | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.1%) |
Thyroid dysfunction | - | 1 (0.2%) | 16 (0.4%) | 17 (0.4%) |
Deficit alfa-1 | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) |
Obesity | 1 (2.5%) | 2 (0.4%) | 8 (0.2) | 11 (0.2%) |
Goiter | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Diabetes | 1 (2.5%) | 22 (4.8%) | 128 (3.2%) | 151 (3.4%) |
Hypercholesterolemia | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 9(0.2%) | |
Cystic fibrosis | - | 1 (0.2%) | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) |
Diseases of the nervous system | ||||
Epilepsy | 2 (5%) | 12 (2.6%) | 44 (1.1%) | 58 (1.3%) |
Hemiparesis | 1 (2.5%) | - | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) |
SLA | - | 2 (0.4%) | 7 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
Alzheimer’s disease | - | 1 (0.2%) | 15 (0.4%) | 16 (0.4%) |
Peripheral neuropathy | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Myelitis | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Neuropathy of the lower limbs | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 2 (0.1%) | 4 (0.1%) |
Headache | - | - | 6 (0.1%) | 6 (0.1%) |
Corea di Huntington | - | - | 3 (0.1%) | 3 (0.1%) |
Paralysis | - | - | 8 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) |
Parkinson | - | - | 24 (0.6%) | 24 (0.5%) |
Diseases of the eye and adnexa | ||||
Blindness | - | - | 7 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Glaucoma | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 10 (0.2%) |
Maculopathy | - | 1 (0.2%) | 6 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Coronophaty/Retinopathy | - | - | 9 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
Diseases of the ear and mastoid process | ||||
Tympanic perforation | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Deaf-mutism | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.1%) |
Diseases of the circulatory system | ||||
Aneurysm | - | - | 6 (0.2%) | 6 (0.1%) |
Hypertension/ Hypotension | 3 (7.5%) | - | 209 (5.3%) | 212 (4.8%) |
Cardiomyopathy | 1 (2.5%) | 18 (3.9%) | 126 (3.2%) | 145 (3.2%) |
Cardiac Fibrillation | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) | 11 (0.2%) |
Myocardial infarction | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 36 (0.9%) | 38 (0.9%) |
Vasculopathy | - | 1 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
Atherosclerosis | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 5 (0.1%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Arrhythmia | - | 2 (0.4%) | 21 (0.5%) | 23 (0.5%) |
IPA | 1 (2.5%) | 15 (3.3%) | 3 (0.1%) | 19 (0.4%) |
Stroke | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 39 (1%) | 41 (0.9%) |
Valvulopathy | - | 1 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) | 10 (0.2%) |
Varicocele | - | - | 5 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) |
Diseases of the respiratory system | ||||
Bronchial asthma | 1 (2.5%) | 2 (0.4%) | 35 (0.9%) | 38 (0.9%) |
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | - | 6 (1.3%) | 25 (0.6%) | 31 (0.7%) |
Pneumonia | - | 1 (0.2%) | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) |
Bronchitis | - | 1 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) |
Emphysema | - | - | 17 (0.4%) | 17 (0.4%) |
Pharyngitis | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) |
Diseases of the digestive system | ||||
Gastric ulcer | 1 (2.5%) | 3 (0.7%) | 25 (0.6%) | 29 (0.6%) |
Diverticulitis | - | 1 (0.2%) | 4 (0.1%) | 5 (0.1%) |
Gastritis | - | 2 (0.4%) | 5 (0.1%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Inguinal hernia | - | 2 (0.4%) | 4 (0.1%) | 6 (0.1) |
Rectal prolapse | - | 1 (0.2%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Gastric band | - | 2 (0.4%) | 1 (0.03%) | 3 (0.1%) |
Cirrhosis | - | 3 (0.7%) | 10 (0.3%) | 13 (0.3%) |
Appendicitis | - | - | 9 (0.2%) | 9 (0.2%) |
Celiac disease | - | - | 2 (0.1%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Disease of the skin | ||||
Psoriasis | - | - | 4 (0.1%) | 4 (0.1%) |
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue | ||||
Paget’s disease | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | - | 2 (0.05%) |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (0.2%) | 5 (0.1%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Osteoporosis | - | 1 (0.2%) | 10 (0.3%) | 11 (0.2%) |
Vertebral Fracture | - | 1 (0.2%) | 1 (0.03%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Hip prosthesis | - | 1 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) | 8 (0.2%) |
Arthritis | 1 (2.5%) | 2 (0.4%) | 12 (0.3%) | 15 (0.3%) |
Disc herniation | - | 1 (0.2%) | 17 (0.4%) | 18 (0.4%) |
Diseases of the genitourinary system | ||||
Prostatic hypertrophy | 1 (2.5%) | - | 17 (0.4%) | 18 (0.4%) |
Renal failure | - | - | 6 (0.2%) | 6 (0.1%) |
Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities | ||||
Turner Syndrome | 1 (2.5%) | - | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Down Syndrome | - | - | 1 (0.03%) | 1 (0.02%) |
Cystic Ovary Syndrome | - | - | 2 (0.1%) | 2 (0.05%) |
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services | ||||
Covid-19 | - | 4 (0.9%) | 15 (0.4%) | 19 (0.4%) |
Hysterectomy | - | 2 (0.4%) | - | 2 (0.05%) |
By-pass | - | 1 (0.2%) | 10 (0.3%) | 11 (0.2%) |
Homeless | - | - | 7 (0.2%) | 7 (0.2%) |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–2 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Group 3 (n = 3962) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–3 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Total Sample (n = 4462) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PREVIOUS SUICIDAL IDEATION | 15 (37.5%) | 180 (39.1%) | 0.04 (1), 0.84 * | 1191 (30.1%) | 1.04 (1), 0.31 * | 1386 (31%) |
PREVIOUS SUICIDE ATTEMPT(S) | 12 (30%) | 155 (33.7%) | 0.23 (1), 0.64 * | 862 (21.8%) | 1.58 (1), 0.21 * | 1029 (23.1%) |
SIMPLE SUICIDE | 38 (95%) | 428 (93%) | 0.22 (1), 0.64 | 3918 (98.9%) | 5.27 (1), 0.02 | 3984 (89.3%) |
COMPLEX SUICIDE | 2 (5%) | 32 (7%) | 46 (1.1%) | 80 (1.8%) |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Total Sample (n = 500) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|
Type of chemical ingested | |||
Strong acids | 32 (80%) | - | 32 (0.7%) |
Strong bases | 4 (10%) | - | 4 (0.08%) |
Oxidizing agents | 1 (2.5%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Mix of different caustics | 1 (2.5%) | - | 1 (0.02%) |
Medication | - | 260 (56.5%) | 260 (5.8%) |
Gas | - | 137 (29.8%) | 137 (3.1%) |
Drugs | - | 8 (1.7%) | 8 (0.2%) |
Other chemical agents | - | 6 (1.3%) | 6 (0.1%) |
Mix of different chemicals | 17 (3.7%) | 17 (3.4%) | |
Causes of death | |||
CIRCULATORY FAILURE | 9 (22.5%) | 289 (62.8%) | 298 (59.6%) |
Acute circulatory insufficiency | 9 (22.5%) | 273 (59.3%) | 282 (56.4%) |
Acute cardio-respiratory insufficiency | - | 16 (3.5%) | 16 (3.2%) |
INTOXICATION | 11 (27.5%) | 149 (32.4%) | 160 (32%) |
Acute caustic intoxication | 11 (27.5%) | - | 11 (2.2%) |
Gas poisoning | - | 143 (31.1%) | 143 (28.6%) |
Substance poisoning | - | 6 (1.3%) | 6 (1.2%) |
ORGANIC INJURY | 20 (50%) | 21 (4.7%) | 41 (8.2%) |
Visceral injuries from caustic ingestion | 14 (35%) | - | 14 (2.8%) |
Multiple skeletal and visceral injuries | 1 (2.5%) | 3 (0.7%) | 4 (0.8%) |
Peritonitis | 1 (2.5%) | 3 (0.7%) | 4(0.8%) |
Septic state | 4 (10%) | - | 4(0.8%) |
Edema | - | 5 (1.1%) | 5(1%) |
Drowning | - | 2 (0.4%) | 2(0.4%) |
Suffocation | - | 4 (0.9%) | 4(0.8%) |
Hanging | - | 4 (0.9%) | 4(0.8%) |
Variables | B | S.E. | Wald | p | Exp(B) | 95% C.I. for Exp(B) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lower | Upper | ||||||
Group 1 vs. Group 2 | |||||||
Age | 0.033 | 0.011 | 9.509 | 0.002 | 1.033 | 1.012 | 1.055 |
Number of diseases | 0.151 | 0.173 | 0.763 | 0.382 | 1.163 | 0.828 | 1.634 |
Psychiatric disorder | 0.678 | 0.462 | 2.157 | 0.142 | 1.970 | 0.797 | 4.867 |
Constant | −4.860 | 0.707 | 47.236 | <0.001 | 0.008 | ||
Goodness of fit: chi-square (3) = 16.64, p < 0.001, loglikelihood = 262.13 | |||||||
Group 1 vs. Group 3 | |||||||
Gender | 1.168 | 0.331 | 12.470 | <0.001 | 3.214 | 1.681 | 6.145 |
Number of diseases | 0.427 | 0.172 | 6.149 | 0.013 | 1.532 | 1.094 | 2.147 |
Psychiatric disorder | 0.415 | 0.448 | 0.857 | 0.355 | 1.515 | 0.629 | 3.648 |
Inside/outside | 2.084 | 0.485 | 18.446 | <0.001 | 8.033 | 3.104 | 20.788 |
Constant | −7.448 | 0.615 | 146.842 | <0.001 | 0.001 | ||
Goodness of fit: chi-square (4) = 46.64, p < 0.001, loglikelihood = 392.18 |
Variables | Group 1 (n = 40) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 2 (n = 460) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–2 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Group 3 (n = 3962) n (%) or Mean ± SD | Group 1–3 Statistics Chi-2 (df), p or Mann-Whitney U Test, p | Total Sample (n = 4462) n (%) or Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
INSIDE | 34 (87.2%) | 429 (93.3%) | 1.99 (1), 0.16 | 2026 (51.1%) | 20.09 (1), <0.001 | 2.489 (55.8%) |
Home | 26 (65%) | 259 (56.3%) | 1527 (38.5%) | 1812 (40.6%) | ||
Hospital | 8 (20%) | 8 (1.7%) | 182 (4.6%) | 198 (4.4%) | ||
Work | - | 2 (0.4%) | 136 (3.4%) | 138 (3.1%) | ||
Car/Garage | - | 136 (29.6%) | 43 (1.1%) | 179 (4%) | ||
Hotel | - | 16 (3.5%) | 42 (1.1%) | 58 (1.3%) | ||
Prison | - | 8 (1.7%) | 96 (2.4%) | 104 (2.3%) | ||
OUTSIDE | 5 (12.8%) | 31 (6.7%) | 1936 (48.9%) | 1972 (44.2%) | ||
Binaries | - | - | 212 (5.4%) | 212 (4.8%) | ||
Street | 2 (5%) | 5 (1.1%) | 445 (11.2%) | 452 (10.1%) | ||
Green/park/field | 1 (2.5%) | 12 (2.6%) | 112 (2.8%) | 125 (2.8%) | ||
River/Lake | - | 4 (0.9%) | 10 (0.3%) | 14 (0.3%) | ||
Public Area | 2 (5%) | 10 (2.2%) | 1157 (29.2%) | 1169 (26.2%) |
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Gravagnuolo, R.; Tambuzzi, S.; Gentile, G.; Boracchi, M.; Crippa, F.; Madeddu, F.; Zoja, R.; Calati, R. Is It Correct to Consider Caustic Ingestion as a Nonviolent Method of Suicide? A Retrospective Analysis and Psychological Considerations. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6270. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136270
Gravagnuolo R, Tambuzzi S, Gentile G, Boracchi M, Crippa F, Madeddu F, Zoja R, Calati R. Is It Correct to Consider Caustic Ingestion as a Nonviolent Method of Suicide? A Retrospective Analysis and Psychological Considerations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(13):6270. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136270
Chicago/Turabian StyleGravagnuolo, Rosa, Stefano Tambuzzi, Guendalina Gentile, Michele Boracchi, Franca Crippa, Fabio Madeddu, Riccardo Zoja, and Raffaella Calati. 2023. "Is It Correct to Consider Caustic Ingestion as a Nonviolent Method of Suicide? A Retrospective Analysis and Psychological Considerations" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 13: 6270. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136270