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Roza TH, Marchionatti LE, Gosmann NP, do Canto GC, Machado PV, Massuda R, Passos IC, Kessler FHP, Magalhães PVDS, Telles LEDB. Characteristics of deaths by suicide in postmortem studies in Brazil: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:1086-1107. [PMID: 37864416 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide is one of the leading causes of death, with a trend for its increase in Brazil in past decades. This study aimed to review the characteristics of suicides in Brazilian postmortem studies. METHODS Studies investigating suicide deaths in Brazil, and based on autopsy or psychological autopsy were included. Proportions were pooled across studies with the use of random and fixed effects models. RESULTS 6777 references were retrieved from six databases (searches up to January, 2023), and 45 studies included. In autopsy studies (k = 37, n = 16,231), substance use at toxicological analysis was found in 36.42% of cases (95% CI: 30.05-43.32), previous suicide attempts in 23.92% (95% CI: 6.73-57.78). In psychological autopsy studies (k = 8, n = 139), previous suicide attempts were reported in 28.09% (95% CI: 19.74-38.28), psychiatric conditions/symptoms in 90.67% (95% CI: 67.79-97.82), family history of suicidality in 21.33% (95% CI: 13.5-32.03). Most suicide deaths were reported in males and took place at the victim's home, hanging was the most frequent suicide method. Included studies presented significant limitations in quality assessment. CONCLUSION Future studies should present more robust methodology, including bigger samples, the use of controls, and validated methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Henrique Roza
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Addiction and Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE) and Centro de Pesquisa Clínica (CPC), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Lauro Estivalete Marchionatti
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Natan Pereira Gosmann
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Section of Negative Affect and Social Processes, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Anxiety Disorders Outpatient Program, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Cambraia do Canto
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Addiction and Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Vasconcelos Machado
- Seção de Perícias Psíquicas (Forensic Psychological and Psychiatric Examination Unit), Departamento-Médico Legal (Institute of Legal Medicine), Instituto-Geral de Perícias (General Crime Scene Investigation Institute), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Raffael Massuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ives Cavalcante Passos
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE) and Centro de Pesquisa Clínica (CPC), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felix Henrique Paim Kessler
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Addiction and Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vieira da Silva Magalhães
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lisieux Elaine de Borba Telles
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Addiction and Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Acute use of alcohol before suicide in Kazakhstan: A population-wide study. J Affect Disord 2023; 321:134-139. [PMID: 36272459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute use of alcohol is a proximal risk factor for suicidal behavior and suicide attempts. Previous studies have established that alcohol consumption prior to suicide increases the risk of suicide completion. Thus, the current study aims to explore the association between alcohol use and suicide mortality in Kazakhstan. This is the first study to address this association in Kazakhstan. METHODS The main outcome measure was the presence of alcohol in blood of suicide decedents. Logistic regression models were used to test unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of the risk of suicide involving acute use of alcohol. Regression modeling was used to identify significant predictors of alcohol use among suicide decedents. RESULTS Males (22.5 %) used alcohol more commonly before conducting suicide than females (13.4 %). The odds of alcohol involvement was 2.73 times higher for males compared to females after controlling for age and other covariates. Being a male younger than 45 years old and using suicide methods such as poisoning, immolation, and drowning increased the odds of acute use of alcohol among suicide decedents. LIMITATIONS Data on alcohol use included information only on individuals with a positive alcohol test, and it is unknown how many suicide decedents were not tested for alcohol. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use is common factor contributing to suicide, particularly among young and middle-aged male adults. Alcohol use is also associated more strongly with certain methods of suicide. Further studies and more detailed data exploring alcohol consumption and suicide risks are needed in countries such as Kazakhstan.
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Nieto-Betancurt L, Fandiño-Losada A, Ponce de Leon A, Pacichana-Quinayaz SG, Gutiérrez-Martínez MI. Seasonal and Temporal Patterns of Homicides and Suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia: A Times-Series Analysis 2008-2015. Arch Suicide Res 2023; 27:43-62. [PMID: 34460358 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2021.1967235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify seasonal and temporal variations in daily incidence of homicides and suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia during 2008-2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS An ecological time series study was performed using negative binomial regression models for daily incidence of homicides and suicides; analyses were controlled for yearly trends and temporal autocorrelations. RESULTS Saturdays, Sundays, December holidays as well as New Year and New Year's Eve were associated with an increased risk of homicides in both cities. Suicide risk increased during December holidays and New Year in both cities. In addition, the suicide risk increased on paydays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays in Cali, and it decreased during the Holy Week holidays in Manizales. December patterns of suicides and homicides are the opposite in each city, and between cities. CONCLUSIONS The incidences of homicides and suicides are not homogeneous over time. These patterns can be explained partially by alcohol consumption and changes in people's routine activities which may modify exposure to violent circumstances.
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Gomes JDA, de Souza DM, Oliveira KD, Gallassi AD. Psychoactive substances use before suicide: detailed analysis of all cases that occurred in the Brazilian Federal District in a 10-years period. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:467. [PMID: 35836155 PMCID: PMC9284851 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04082-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychoactive substances (PASs) are an important risk factor for suicide. This study investigated the sociodemographic characteristics, data related to the suicidal behavior, the methods employed, the circumstances of the events, and the use of PASs before dying in all suicides that occurred between 2005-2014 in the Brazilian Federal District, comparing cases with positive and negative detection for PASs in the post-mortem analysis to identify groups at greatest risk. METHODS A population-based, observational, cross-sectional study with an analytical aspect was conducted with suicides cases collected from local police, which toxicological examination was performed (headspace gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry-HS-GC/MS) for detection of ethanol and methanol in blood samples; immunoassay for other substances (cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepine). RESULTS The results showed that the increase in the suicide rate was 10 × greater than the population growth, and 44% of the individuals used PASs before suicide. Individuals are more likely to die by suicide at home, be male, have tried before, and change their behavior days before death; they choose to hang as the method and are influenced by alcohol. CONCLUSION Identifying what sociodemographic characteristics are associated with a fatal suicide attempt among individuals who use PASs and those who do not use and those who have/do not have mental disorders and what methods are employed could be employed as a path to better interventions. Thus, prevention actions could be planned and directed to individuals with greater risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Mendes de Souza
- Forensic Institute, Civil Police of the Brazilian Federal District (PCDF), Brasilia, DF Brazil
| | - Karina Diniz Oliveira
- grid.411087.b0000 0001 0723 2494Division of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Andrea Donatti Gallassi
- Postgraduate Program of Sciences and Health Technology, Faculty of Ceilândia (FCE), University of Brasilia (UnB), Centro Metropolitano 1, Conjunto A-Ceilândia Sul, Brasília, DF, ZIP 72220-900, Brazil. .,Center of Drugs and Associated Vulnerabilities, Faculty of Ceilândia (FCE), University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
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Bando DH, Prado de Mello Jorge MH, Waldman EA, Volpe FM, Lester D. Secular Trends of Suicide in the City of São Paulo, 1904-2017. CRISIS 2021; 43:476-485. [PMID: 34523350 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Few reports from developing countries have described long-term trends in suicide. Aims: To investigate the age-, sex-, and method-specific trends in suicide over the period 1904-2017 in São Paulo. Method: Mortality data were obtained from SEADE, DATASUS, and PRO-AIM. Results: Suicide peaked in the mid-1910s and mid-1950s, being higher among men. There was an upward trend from the 1920s for men and from the 1930s for women. Suicide rates have declined since the mid-1950s, reaching lower rates in the past 40 years. Men aged 60+ had higher rates at the beginning and a decreasing trend. Suicide rates among men aged 20-39 and 40-59 peaked in the mid-1950s and declined until the late 1970s, thereafter remaining stable. Women aged 20-39 years had the highest rates with decreasing trends from the mid-1950s. No trends were detected for the age group 40-59, and women aged 60+ presented a decreasing trend. Rates among women aged 0-19 declined after the late 1970s. Suicide by poisoning peaked in the 1950s, and there was a downward trend for firearms and an upward trend for hanging. Conclusion: Suicide trends vary by sex, age group, and method. Accurate monitoring of these trends is an important task for suicide prevention and public health agencies and personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hideki Bando
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Eliseu Alves Waldman
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health School of the University of São Paulo - USP, Brazil
| | | | - David Lester
- The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ, USA
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Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Suicidal Behavior in People with Alcohol Consumption. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060734. [PMID: 34200830 PMCID: PMC8230445 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We determined the association between T. gondii infection and suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption. One-thousand four-hundred and twenty-three people with alcohol consumption were screened for suicidal behavior and tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 34 of 224 (15.2%) individuals with suicidal ideation and in 118 (9.8%) of 1199 individuals without suicidal ideation (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.08–2.47; p = 0.01). Seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with suicidal ideation in women (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.33–3.78; p = 0.001) and in individuals aged ≤30 years (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.22–5.87; p = 0.01) and >50 years (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.19–6.77; p = 0.01). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 17 of 136 (12.5%) individuals with suicide attempts and in 135 (10.5%) of 1287 individuals without suicide attempts (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.71–2.08; p = 0.47). Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was associated with suicide attempts in women (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.99–3.55; p = 0.04). No association between anti-T. gondii IgM and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts was found. Results suggest that T. gondii infection is associated with suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption.
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Franck MC, Monteiro MG, Limberger RP. [Toxicology of suicide cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2017 to 2019Perfil toxicológico de los casos de suicidio en Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil), 2017-2019]. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2021; 45:e28. [PMID: 33727909 PMCID: PMC7954196 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2021.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objetivo. Descrever o perfil toxicológico de todas as vítimas de suicídio no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 2017 a 2019. Métodos. Neste estudo descritivo e transversal, foram consultados todos os laudos periciais e as ocorrências policiais relacionados aos óbitos por suicídio no estado. Foram realizadas análises de correspondência múltipla e construídos modelos independentes de regressão logística, tendo como variáveis dependentes o etanol, os ansiolíticos, os antidepressivos, as substâncias ilícitas e os agentes tóxicos não medicamentosos. Resultados. Foram realizados 2 978 exames de alcoolemia, com resultado positivo em 28,5%. A chance de resultados positivos para alcoolemia foi 0,5 (IC95%: 1,1 a 2,2) vez maior para suicídio durante a noite, 1,0 (IC95%: 1,4 a 2,9) vez maior para suicídio aos finais de semana e 0,9 (IC95%: 1,3 a 2,7) vez maior na presença de antecedentes criminais. A pesquisa de psicotrópicos (2 900 amostras) detectou algum medicamento em 30,4%. Os ansiolíticos foram a classe mais frequente, com chance 1,5 (IC95%: 1,6 a 4,1) vez maior em mulheres e 0,8 (IC95%: 1,2 a 2,7) vez maior para suicídios ocorridos no outono-inverno. As substâncias ilícitas (n = 338) tiveram chance 4,1 (IC95%: 1,9 a 14,4) vezes maior de detecção na macrorregião de Pelotas em relação à de Passo Fundo e 1,2 (IC95%: 1,3 a 3,6) vez maior em pessoas com resultados positivos para etanol. Não houve diferença significativa entre adolescentes e adultos. Conclusões. Embora sem evidência de causalidade, os resultados mostram um vínculo entre o suicídio e diversos psicoativos. Os médicos legistas devem ser orientados quanto à necessidade de realização de exames toxicológicos em todos os casos de suicídio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Franck
- Instituto-Geral de Perícias do Rio Grande do Sul (IGP-RS), Departamento de Perícias Laboratoriais Porto Alegre (RS) Brasil Instituto-Geral de Perícias do Rio Grande do Sul (IGP-RS), Departamento de Perícias Laboratoriais, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil
| | - Maristela Goldnadel Monteiro
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Washington, D.C. Estados Unidos Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Washington, D.C., Estados Unidos
| | - Renata Pereira Limberger
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas Porto Alegre (RS) Brasil Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil
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[Synthesis of evidence: Guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of Chagas diseaseSíntese de evidências: Guia de diagnóstico e tratamento da doença de Chagas]. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e28. [PMID: 32523605 PMCID: PMC7279121 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2020.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas o tripanosomiasis americana es causada por el protozoo flagelado Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitido principalmente por insectos vectores (denominados popularmente en las diferentes zonas de la Región de las Américas “vinchucas”, “pitos”, “chinches”, “chirimachas” o “kissing bugs”). El parásito es transmitido por vía transplacentaria, transfusiones y, menos frecuentemente, por vía oral o trasplante de órganos. La implementación de políticas públicas y el manejo de la condición clínica requiere ser fortalecido debido a las dificultades diagnósticas y terapéuticas que presenta esta parasitosis sistémica. Para contribuir con ello, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) desarrolló una guía para el manejo de la tripanosomiasis americana. Objetivos. Sintetizar las recomendaciones incluidas en la Guía para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas, publicada por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud en 2018, con el fin de presentar el adecuado diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas y abordar aspectos sobre su implementación. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una síntesis de la guía y sus recomendaciones. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en PubMed, Lilacs, Health Systems Evidence, Epistemonikos y literatura gris de estudios desarrollados en las Américas con el fin de identificar barreras, facilitadores y estrategias de implementación. Resultados. Se presentan 10 recomendaciones aplicables a pacientes adultos y pediátricos con sospecha de enfermedad de Chagas, exposición a T. cruzi y diagnóstico confirmado de enfermedad de Chagas aguda, crónica y congénita. Se identificaron reportes que abordaron aspectos de implementación. Conclusiones. Las recomendaciones buscan proveer estrategias para el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos de la enfermedad de Chagas, así como consideraciones para su implementación.
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El-Gabri D, Toomey N, Gil NM, de Oliveira AC, Calvo PRS, Tchuisseu YP, Williams S, Andrade L, Vissoci JRN, Staton C. Association Between Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics and Non-fatal Alcohol-Related Injury in Maringá, Brazil. Front Public Health 2020; 8:66. [PMID: 32269983 PMCID: PMC7109310 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous research has corroborated a high burden of alcohol-related injury in Brazil and the presence of socioeconomic disparities among the injured. Yet, individual-level data is scarce. To fill this gap, we examined the association between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with non-fatal alcohol-related injury in Maringá, Brazil. Methods: We used household survey data collected during a 2015 cross-sectional study. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate associations of demographic (age, gender, race) and socioeconomic characteristics (employment, education, income) with non-fatal alcohol-related injury. Results: Of the 995 participants who reported injuries, 62 (6.26%) were alcohol-related. Fifty-three (85%) alcohol-related injuries were reported by males. Multivariate analysis indicated being male (OR = 5.98 95% CI = 3.02, 13.28), 15–29 years of age (OR = 3.62 95% CI = 1.72, 7.71), and identifying as Black (OR = 2.38 95% CI = 1.09, 4.95) were all significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting an alcohol-related injury, whereas unemployment was significantly associated with decreased likelihood of reporting an alcohol-related injury (OR = 0.41 95% CI = 0.18, 0.88). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in Maringá, being male, between the ages of 15 and 29, employed, or identifying as Black were characteristics associated with a higher risk for non-fatal alcohol-related injury. Individual level data, such as ours, should be considered in combination with area-level and country-level data when developing evidence-based public-health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deena El-Gabri
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nicole Toomey
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nelly Moraes Gil
- Department of Nursing, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Williams
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Luciano Andrade
- Department of Nursing, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Catherine Staton
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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Gonçalves REM, de Carvalho Ponce J, Leyton V. Alcohol Consumption and Violent Deaths in the City of Sao Paulo in 2015. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:1875-1880. [PMID: 32460601 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1771596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious public health issue, because drunkenness affects critical judgment and self-control, making people more vulnerable to violence and accidents, with thus a potential association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths. Objective: To assess the association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015, and its relationship with gender, age, cause of death and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of victims. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted by collection of data from 2,882 victims of violent deaths subjected to examination of BAC from the archives of the Institute of Legal Medicine of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results: Alcohol was detected in blood samples of 27.06% of the victims and mean BAC levels were 1.92 ± 1.24 g/L. The mean age of the victims was 33.49 ± 15.19 years. The majority of the victims were male (84.14%) and the prevalence of positive BAC was higher amongst men (28.74%) than women (18.16%). Homicide was the most prevalent cause of death in the sample (36.57%), but there were a higher proportion of traffic accidents victims with positive BAC (32.01%), as well as higher BAC levels in these victims (46.77% in the range of 1.6-2.5 g/L). Conclusions: The results obtained in this study support a potential association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths in the city of Sao Paulo, mainly in traffic accidents victims.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Júlio de Carvalho Ponce
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vilma Leyton
- Department of Legal Medicine, Ethics and Occupational Health, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Auckloo MBKM, Davies BB. Post-mortem toxicology in violent fatalities in Cape Town, South Africa: A preliminary investigation. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 63:18-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Fonseca Pego AM, Franco de Oliveira SCWDSE, Franco de Oliveira T, Leyton V, Miziara I, Yonamine M. Cocaine toxicological findings in cases of violent death in Sao Paulo city - Brazil. J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 60:3-8. [PMID: 30189409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Violence is a dreadful phenomenon spread throughout the world, resulting in unfortunate events that can ultimately cause death. It is known that some countries play a much worrying role in this scenario than others. Brazil is one of them. The present work has focused on identifying the use of cocaine in 105 postmortem cases arriving at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Sao Paulo (IML-SP), the largest Brazilian city. Both blood and hair samples have been analyzed through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) in order to distinguish between recent or chronic cocaine use. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the proportion of cocaine use amongst violent individuals whose violence has ultimately led to their death. In order to do so, two previous methods, validated in-house, based on methanolic extraction for hair and protein precipitation for blood, have been used for this purpose and the final residue was analyzed through UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system. When looking at the demographics from the 105 postmortem cases analyzed, the results have shown the most critical age range to be between 18 and 25 years old and the least frequent between 37 and 45 years old. Gender wise, a rather extreme difference was found as 97 of the individuals were men and finally, considering the manner of death, the four-category criteria established appear to be fairly similar with 34 cases related to general violence and risk behavior, 26 to drug abuse suspicion, 23 to homicide resulting from opposition to police intervention and 22 to possible suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Miguel Fonseca Pego
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Vilma Leyton
- Department of Legal Medicine, Ethics and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivan Miziara
- Department of Legal Medicine, Ethics and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Technical-Scientific Police Superintendency of the State of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Yonamine
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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