Publicatie
Publicatie datum
Suicide and suicide attempts in the Netherlands: the role of general practitioners.
Marquet, R.L., Bartelds, A.I.M., Zee, J. van der, Schellevis, F.G. Suicide and suicide attempts in the Netherlands: the role of general practitioners. European Journal of Public Health: 2004, 14(4 Suppl.), p. 14. Abstract. 12 th Annual EUPHA meeting: Urbanisation and health: new challenges in health promotion and prevention in Oslo, Norway, 7-9 october 2004.
Similarly as in most Western countries, suicide (S) and suicide attempts (SA) are major health
problems because of many years of life lost. Many patients committing S or SA consult their GP in
the period preceding S/SA, suggesting thar GPs may play a key role in prevention. Aim: We used data
from the Dutch Sentinel GP Network over the period 1983-2003 to delineate typical characteristics of
S/SA patients and to analyse the role of GPs with regard to care, referral and recognition
of vulnerable persons. Methods: The data were derived from the Sentinel Network, which constitutes a
sample of about 60 GPs, covers 1% of the Dutch population and is fairly representative with regard
to age, sex, geographical
distribution and urbanisation. Gps reported on the incidence of S and SA and provided additional
data on sex, age, household, method, place, contact with GP, depression, medication, referral and
whether the GP had foreseen S or SA.
Results: From 1983-2003 the number of S steadily decreased from 11/100.000 to 6/100.000; SA declined
from 53/100.000 to 27/100.000, 1998-2001 appeared a crucial turning point for decline. Most suicides
were first attempts (75%). About 50% of S and 70% of SA was committed between the age of 20 and 50
years, with prominent peaks for S in the age groups 30-39 and >60. Suicides were more common in
persons living alone, SA occurred more frequently in households consisting of 3 or more persons. A
majority of S/SA patients was treated for depression (60%). Only 7% of them ever mentioned thoughts
about committing S. Nearly all depressed patients (90%) were treated with an antidepressant; from
1993 onward SSRIs prevailed. GPs referred 65% of their depressed patients to a psychiatrist. About
half of the S/SA patients had contacted their GP in the 30-day period preceding S or SA; GPs
reported that they had foreseen S/SA in 31% of these cases. Conclusions: The number of S and SA
occurring in Dutch general practice has declined over the years. Depression is the major underlying
disease for which most patients are referred to a psychiatrist. Especially in young and older
depressed persons, living alone, GPs should ask for suicidal ideation, making it debatable, to
enhance recognition and
improve prevention.
problems because of many years of life lost. Many patients committing S or SA consult their GP in
the period preceding S/SA, suggesting thar GPs may play a key role in prevention. Aim: We used data
from the Dutch Sentinel GP Network over the period 1983-2003 to delineate typical characteristics of
S/SA patients and to analyse the role of GPs with regard to care, referral and recognition
of vulnerable persons. Methods: The data were derived from the Sentinel Network, which constitutes a
sample of about 60 GPs, covers 1% of the Dutch population and is fairly representative with regard
to age, sex, geographical
distribution and urbanisation. Gps reported on the incidence of S and SA and provided additional
data on sex, age, household, method, place, contact with GP, depression, medication, referral and
whether the GP had foreseen S or SA.
Results: From 1983-2003 the number of S steadily decreased from 11/100.000 to 6/100.000; SA declined
from 53/100.000 to 27/100.000, 1998-2001 appeared a crucial turning point for decline. Most suicides
were first attempts (75%). About 50% of S and 70% of SA was committed between the age of 20 and 50
years, with prominent peaks for S in the age groups 30-39 and >60. Suicides were more common in
persons living alone, SA occurred more frequently in households consisting of 3 or more persons. A
majority of S/SA patients was treated for depression (60%). Only 7% of them ever mentioned thoughts
about committing S. Nearly all depressed patients (90%) were treated with an antidepressant; from
1993 onward SSRIs prevailed. GPs referred 65% of their depressed patients to a psychiatrist. About
half of the S/SA patients had contacted their GP in the 30-day period preceding S or SA; GPs
reported that they had foreseen S/SA in 31% of these cases. Conclusions: The number of S and SA
occurring in Dutch general practice has declined over the years. Depression is the major underlying
disease for which most patients are referred to a psychiatrist. Especially in young and older
depressed persons, living alone, GPs should ask for suicidal ideation, making it debatable, to
enhance recognition and
improve prevention.
Similarly as in most Western countries, suicide (S) and suicide attempts (SA) are major health
problems because of many years of life lost. Many patients committing S or SA consult their GP in
the period preceding S/SA, suggesting thar GPs may play a key role in prevention. Aim: We used data
from the Dutch Sentinel GP Network over the period 1983-2003 to delineate typical characteristics of
S/SA patients and to analyse the role of GPs with regard to care, referral and recognition
of vulnerable persons. Methods: The data were derived from the Sentinel Network, which constitutes a
sample of about 60 GPs, covers 1% of the Dutch population and is fairly representative with regard
to age, sex, geographical
distribution and urbanisation. Gps reported on the incidence of S and SA and provided additional
data on sex, age, household, method, place, contact with GP, depression, medication, referral and
whether the GP had foreseen S or SA.
Results: From 1983-2003 the number of S steadily decreased from 11/100.000 to 6/100.000; SA declined
from 53/100.000 to 27/100.000, 1998-2001 appeared a crucial turning point for decline. Most suicides
were first attempts (75%). About 50% of S and 70% of SA was committed between the age of 20 and 50
years, with prominent peaks for S in the age groups 30-39 and >60. Suicides were more common in
persons living alone, SA occurred more frequently in households consisting of 3 or more persons. A
majority of S/SA patients was treated for depression (60%). Only 7% of them ever mentioned thoughts
about committing S. Nearly all depressed patients (90%) were treated with an antidepressant; from
1993 onward SSRIs prevailed. GPs referred 65% of their depressed patients to a psychiatrist. About
half of the S/SA patients had contacted their GP in the 30-day period preceding S or SA; GPs
reported that they had foreseen S/SA in 31% of these cases. Conclusions: The number of S and SA
occurring in Dutch general practice has declined over the years. Depression is the major underlying
disease for which most patients are referred to a psychiatrist. Especially in young and older
depressed persons, living alone, GPs should ask for suicidal ideation, making it debatable, to
enhance recognition and
improve prevention.
problems because of many years of life lost. Many patients committing S or SA consult their GP in
the period preceding S/SA, suggesting thar GPs may play a key role in prevention. Aim: We used data
from the Dutch Sentinel GP Network over the period 1983-2003 to delineate typical characteristics of
S/SA patients and to analyse the role of GPs with regard to care, referral and recognition
of vulnerable persons. Methods: The data were derived from the Sentinel Network, which constitutes a
sample of about 60 GPs, covers 1% of the Dutch population and is fairly representative with regard
to age, sex, geographical
distribution and urbanisation. Gps reported on the incidence of S and SA and provided additional
data on sex, age, household, method, place, contact with GP, depression, medication, referral and
whether the GP had foreseen S or SA.
Results: From 1983-2003 the number of S steadily decreased from 11/100.000 to 6/100.000; SA declined
from 53/100.000 to 27/100.000, 1998-2001 appeared a crucial turning point for decline. Most suicides
were first attempts (75%). About 50% of S and 70% of SA was committed between the age of 20 and 50
years, with prominent peaks for S in the age groups 30-39 and >60. Suicides were more common in
persons living alone, SA occurred more frequently in households consisting of 3 or more persons. A
majority of S/SA patients was treated for depression (60%). Only 7% of them ever mentioned thoughts
about committing S. Nearly all depressed patients (90%) were treated with an antidepressant; from
1993 onward SSRIs prevailed. GPs referred 65% of their depressed patients to a psychiatrist. About
half of the S/SA patients had contacted their GP in the 30-day period preceding S or SA; GPs
reported that they had foreseen S/SA in 31% of these cases. Conclusions: The number of S and SA
occurring in Dutch general practice has declined over the years. Depression is the major underlying
disease for which most patients are referred to a psychiatrist. Especially in young and older
depressed persons, living alone, GPs should ask for suicidal ideation, making it debatable, to
enhance recognition and
improve prevention.