Browsing by Author "Owens, David"

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    All-cause mortality after non-fatal self-poisoning: a cohort study
    (Springer, 2010-03-25) Karasouli, Eleni; Owens, David; Abbott, Rachel L.; Hurst, Keith M.; Dennis, Michael
    A prospective cohort study of 976 patients who attended the Emergency Department in Nottingham, UK during a 9-month period in 1985–1986. Information on deaths was obtained for 16 years following an episode of self-poisoning, from the records of the Office for National Statistics. Results The observed:expected ratio for all-cause mortality was 2.2. Deaths due to diseases of the digestive and respiratory systems were, respectively, 4.4 and 2.9 times more frequent than expected. The risk for accidents was sixfold and for probable suicides 17-fold when compared with the risk in the general population. The main risk factor for subsequent deaths from natural causes was increasing age. The findings of this study suggest that patients who survive self-poisoning have an increased risk of death from natural and unnatural causes. The findings point towards the need for more effective clinical management and preventive initiatives.
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    Suicide After Nonfatal Self-Harm: a population case-control study examining hospital care and patient characteristics.
    (Crisis, 2015-01-01) Karasouli, Eleni; Owens, David; Latchford, Gary; Kelley, Rachael
    Background: Nonfatal self-harm is the strongest predictor of suicide, with some of the risk factors for subsequent suicide after nonfatal self-harm being similar to those for suicide in general. However, we do not have sufficient information regarding the medical care provided to nonfatal self-harm episodes preceding suicide. Aims: Our study sought to explore hospital care and predictive characteristics of the risk of suicide after nonfatal self-harm. Method: Individuals with history of nonfatal self-harm who died by suicide were compared with those who had a nonfatal self-harm episode but did not later die by suicide. Cases were identified by cross-linking data collected through a self-harm monitoring project, 2000–2007, and comprehensive local data on suicides for the same period. Results: Dying by suicide after nonfatal self-harm was more common for male subjects than for female subjects (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.7–6.6). Self-injury as the method of nonfatal self-harm was associated with higher risk of subsequent suicide than was self-poisoning (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.04–3.9). More urgent care at the emergency department (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1–6.3) and admission to hospital (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–4.0) at the index episode were related to a heightened risk of suicide. Conclusion: The findings of our study could help services to form assessment and aftercare policies.
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    The impact of chronic illness in suicidality: a qualitative exploration
    (Taylor and Francis, 2014-08-20) Karasouli, Eleni; Latchford, Gary; Owens, David
    Objectives: To explore the experiences of patients with chronic physical illness in relation to suicidal behaviours and ideas. Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Methods: Fourteen patients with either multiple sclerosis or stage 5 chronic kidney disease were interviewed. Grounded theory was used to analyse the data. Results: Suicidal ideation was commonly reported by the study participants, and the relationship between the impact of a chronic physical illness, suicidality and risk factors was described. Several participants reported having planned suicide attempts as a consequence of finding living with their illness intolerable, and some had used non-adherence to treatment as a deliberate method to end their life. Conclusion: The findings suggest suicidality may be a relatively common experience in those with chronic illness facing a future of further losses, and that alongside passive thoughts of not being alive this may also include active thoughts about suicide. Health professionals should be alert to intentional non-adherence to treatment as an attempt to end one's life.