P60. The characteristics of patients with thoracolumbar fractures between suicidal attempters and accidental fallers

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT A fall from a height is the one of common causes of thoracolumbar fractures. In most cases, falls from a height are accidental. However, some are the intentional fall for suicidal attempt. Although there may be the different clinical features between suicidal attempters and accidental fallers, there have been few literature reviews comparing them. PURPOSE We analyzed the demographic and the radiological characteristics between suicidal attempters and accidental faller. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a retrospective comparative clinical study in an academic institutional setting. PATIENT SAMPLE Between March 2011 and June 2018, we evaluated 78 consecutive patients (under 40 years old) who suffered unstable traumatic thoracolumbar fractures and were treated surgically in one trauma center. Patients were classified into suicidal group (suicidal attempters, n=30) and non-suicidal group (accidental fallers, n=48) by interviewing patients or inspector of accident. Psychiatrist helped to distinguish these patients. OUTCOME MEASURES Demographic data including gender, age, past history of psychiatric disease, the height of fall, neurological status, associated injuries and treatment were obtained from the medical records. We also reviewed the location and the numbers of fractured vertebrae. METHODS We compared theses parameters between suicidal group and non-suicidal group. RESULTS There were significant differences in gender, age, past history of psychiatric disease and associated injuries (all p CONCLUSIONS There were distinct characteristics of patients with thoracolumbar fractures between suicidal and non-suicidal groups regarding gender, age, past history of psychiatric diseases and associated injury. Patients as suicidal attempters were younger and female-dominant. Psychiatric diseases, especially schizophrenia and major depression disorder, were more common in suicidal attempters. Severe associated injury in pelvis is more common in suicidal attempters. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.