Análisis descriptivo del suicidio en el bienio 2018-2019 en Valladolid (España)

Introduction

Suicide and its prevention are a serious public health challenge. As the primary external cause of death in our country, it seems to be beyond our understanding and control in view of the numerous studies and interventions carried out. We conducted a study of suicide at the Valladolid Institute of Legal Medicine from 2018-2019.

Material and methods

All deaths by suicide from 2018-2019 were collected and crossed with anonymized data of the Psychiatry Service of the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid in 2019.

Results

The suicide rate was 8.5/100,000 inhabitants, 49 cases in 2018 and 44 in 2019, with a 3:1 male to female ratio, mainly in rural areas. The age group with the highest incidence was 31-70 years. Hanging in rural areas and precipitation in urban areas were the main methods. Affective disorders (F30-39 ICD-10) were the most common identified psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions

Suicide rates are slightly lower, while the risk profile and features of suicide remain constant in our environment more than 20 years later, indicating that preventive efforts carried out have not been completely successful. The effective prevention of suicide must start with better identification, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders, but the contribution of the Institutes of Legal Medicine in the implementation of multilevel population programmes is also essential.