Epidemiology of suicidal charcoal burning in Hong Kong and long‐term outcomes for survivors

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To present the epidemiology of suicidal charcoal burning in Hong Kong and long‐term outcomes for survivors presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department. Method Cases of suicidal charcoal burning were retrieved from databases of the Coroner's Court and Hong Kong Poison Information Centre. Pertinent demographic and clinical data were retrieved and analysed with R version 4.1.0, where statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Backward stepwise logistic regression was performed on gender (male), age (older than 50 years), coingestion, month (October to April) and day (weekend) to identify any outcome predictors. The post‐charcoal‐burning 9‐year medical record of the cases transferred to the hospital after charcoal burning was retrieved from the electronic patient record of the Hospital Authority and analysed. Results There were 429 cases of suicidal charcoal burning in Hong Kong from 1‐1‐2014 to 31‐12‐2015. The overall prehospital and in‐hospital case fatality rate was 59.4%. Gender (male), age (older than 50 years), coingestion and day (weekend) were identified to be predictors of fatality. Over half of the cases presented to the Accident and Emergency Department had no or a minor effect. Conclusion The epidemiology of suicidal charcoal burning in Hong Kong and long‐term outcomes for survivors were presented. Gender (male), age (older than 50 years), coingestion and day (weekend) were identified to be predictors of fatality. Selected cases of suicidal charcoal burning, especially those with no or minor effects, can be safely managed by the Accident and Emergency Department, avoiding unnecessary admission to the medical ward.

Keywords

• epidemiology
• outcome
• suicidal charcoal burning