Selvmord i Oslo i 1993 og 2003

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Suicide still remains a significant cause of death, placing Norway above low-prevalence suicide countries. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological changes in reported suicides in Oslo in 1993 and 2003 respectively, with special attention paid to the concentration of antidepressants in the blood. Material and method: Figures are based on a retrospective study of police reports and forensic journals of reported suicides from the Oslo Police Department in 1993 and in 2003. The following factors were registered for every case; sex, marital status, age, location, month, method, somatic and psychiatric disease, farewell letter, alcohol and drug concentration in blood. Results: There were committed 590 suicides in Norway in 1993, of which 67 were in Oslo. In 2003 there were committed 502 in Norway, and 75 in Oslo. Suspension shows a large increase for both sexes were as intoxication was the most frequent used method in total. Cases of sedative/hypnotics, analgesics, SSRI and noradrenalin- serotonin antagonists have dramatically increased, whereas the number of cases of TCA have dropped. Discussion: Apart from the method of suicide and the drugs detected in blood sampled, most of the factors did not show any important changes in the study period. The reasons for the observed changes in means of suicides have not been readily explained in this study. The major increase in blood levels of drugs including antidepressants may be explained by the greatly expanded market, increased focus both with regards to illness and drug use, as well as changes in prescription habits. Acknowledgement of the significant mortally rate due to TCA have resulted in an anticipated reduction in detected cases of TCA.