[The Number of Deliberate Self-Poisoning Suicide Attempts in the First Year of the Covid-19 Epidemic in Budapest and Pest County].

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to most other countries, in Hungary, suicide rates increased significantly in the first year (March to December 2020) of the COVID-19 epidemic. Worldwide, the burden of emergency health care tended to decrease in the first period of the pandemic. The main goal of the present research was to assess how the number of suicidal deliberate self-poisoning has changed in the first two years of the pandemic compared to the trend of the previous years (before March 2020) in the capital of Hungary, Budapest, and in Pest County (population approx. 3 million). METHODS: In our retrospective cross-sectional study, we analyzed the results of emergency psychiatric evaluations of patients admitted to the Péterfy Hospital Emergency Department and Clinical Toxicology due to self-intoxication. From the data stored in the hospital's electronic health care system, we recorded two variables: suicidal self-poisoning, that is, suicide attempt, and the gender of the patient. Interrupted time series analysis was used, which relied on negative binomial regression estimates. In addition, the leveling in the trends was examined by changepoint detection. RESULTS: In males, suicide attempts decreased by 16.6% compared to the pre-pandemic period (p<0.001). A similar and significant decrease was observed in females and the overall population. The trend change took place in August 2020 for women and the total population, and in October for men. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that people who have undergone a non-violent drug self-poisoning suicide attempt are less likely to call for help, such as an ambulance. Alternatively, fewer had attempted suicide because they did not want to be hospitalized. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the change in the examined trend (August and October) coincides with the beginning of the second wave of the epidemic in Hungary.

[Changes of violent suicide attempts during the first two years of COVID-19 pandemic in Dr. Manninger Jeno National Traumatology Center, Hungary.] / A violens öngyilkossági kísérletek számának változása a COVID­19-járvány elso két évében a Dr. Manninger Jeno Baleseti Központban.

INTRODUCTION: During the pandemic years in Hungary, the completed suicide rates have risen significantly. Violent suicide attempts represent the majority of completed suicides. OBJECTIVE: In our study, we analyzed the change of the number of inpatients treated in Dr. Manninger Jeno National Traumatology Center between 2016 and 2021 due to violent suicide attempts, focusing on the trend in the first two years of the pandemic outbreak. METHOD: We used an interrupted time-series analysis with Prais-Winsten regression, controlling autoagressive and seasonal effects, to estimate the effect of the pandemic on the violent suicide attempt rates in our sample. RESULTS: In the first two pandemic years, the number of inpatients treated in Dr. Manninger Jeno National Traumatology Center due to violent suicide attempts rose significantly, compared to the previous years. After the rapid rise observed in 2020, decreasing numbers were seen in 2021. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Analyzing the numbers of violent suicide attempts between 2016 and 2021, an increase in the number of attempts was observed during the first two pandemic years. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(26): 1003-1011.

[An effective method of therapy in suicide prevention: problem solving training in the clinical population]. / Egy hatékony beavatkozás szuicid prevencióban: A problémamegoldó tréning alkalmazása a klinikumban.

INTRODUCTION: The low level of problem solving skills is among the main cognitive factors of suicide vulnerability. Problem solving training (PST), a short, structured form of therapy for in- and out-patients, was developed for the improvement of problem solving skills. The Hungarian adaptation and initial results of PST are presented in this pilot study. METHODS: Thirty-four participants between age 18 and 60 with previous suicide attempt, major or recurrent depression in their psychiatric history were assigned to out-patient PST groups. Training lasted for eight weeks, one session per week. Participant's level of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, coping styles and problem solving skills were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the training. RESULTS: Post PST assessments showed a significant decrease of level of depression and hopelessness (t=3,029, p<0,001 - t=2,291 p<0,05), an increase of problem analysing and goal orientation scores (p<0,05), while emotion centered coping scores indicated significant decrease (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the PST can be an efficient, user friendly method in suicide prevention in out- and in-patients. For the more accurate assessment of the efficacy of PST control group studies, and the follow-up of the participants will be needed in the future.

[The role of childhood abuse in adult suicidal behaviour]. / A gyermekkori abúzusok szerepe a felnöttkori szuicid magatartás kialakulásában.

In our present study we have analysed the influence of childhood abuse on affective temperament-types and Gotland Male Depression Scale scores in 150 nonviolent suicide attempters. Our findings confirm previous Hungarian and international data concerning the connection of suicidal behaviour and psychiatric disorders, undesirable psychosocial circumstances and negative life events. Moreover, our study provides new results regarding the strong association of the affective temperament types, male type of depression, seriously traumatic early life events and furthermore their predisposing role in connection with suicidal behaviour. Suicide attempters, experiencing physical and/or sexual abuse in their childhood showed significantly higher total scores (p<0.05) on cyclothymic and irritable temperament subscales. The Gotland Male Depressive syndrome was equally very common and equally serious both in males and females who made a nonviolent suicide attempt. However, regardless of gender, it was significantly more severe (p<0.01) among those who were victims of both physical and sexual childhood abuse.