Abstract
Background
Hanging is a common method of suicide in many countries, and it has a higher success
rate than other commonly employed modes of attempted suicide, such as self-poisoning.
Study Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and characteristics of near-hanging
patients admitted to the main referral hospital in Arak, Iran.
Methods
All patients with the diagnosis of hanging admitted between January 2000 and 2009
were included in the study. Data regarding demographics, radiographic studies, injuries,
Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) on arrival, and outcomes, were examined.
Results
During the 9-year study period, 43 cases of near hanging were identified. All patients
were male, with a mean age of 24.2 years (range: 12–38 years). The median GCS at presentation
was 6 (range: 3–12), and 83.8% of patients had a GCS of 8 or less. Cervical spine
fracture of C2 was observed in two cases (4%). The imaging studies revealed that 62.7%
of patients had an abnormal brain computed tomography scan, with brain edema being
the most common finding (n=16, 37.2%), followed by subdural hematoma (n=10, 23.3%). Ophthalmologic examination demonstrated retinal bleeding in 24 patients
(55.8%). There were four inpatient deaths among the study group, and 39 patients survived
to discharge, yielding a mortality rate of 9.3%. Findings on presentation associated
with subsequent mortality included a systolic blood pressure<90 mm Hg, GCS<5, retinal bleeding, and pulmonary edema.
Conclusion
Mortality among patients who present alive to the hospital after near hanging is low,
including those with a low GCS on arrival. Ophthalmoscopic examination, as well as
radiological examination of the brain and cervical spine, should be performed in cases
of near hanging.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 06, 2012
Accepted:
September 27,
2011
Received in revised form:
April 13,
2011
Received:
September 7,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
