Biomedical subjects

Steven J Garlow

Publications and source records attributed to Steven J Garlow.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Cocaine use disorders and suicidal ideation.

The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of substance abuse to the expression of suicidal ideation in a sample of patients referred for evaluation of chemical dependency in a large urban Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES). Records from 777 consecutive patients referred to the chemical dependency service of the PES were analyzed. Of this sample, 43.7% of the patients with only a cocaine use disorder expressed suicidal ideation compared to 38% of those with both cocaine and alcohol use disorders, 24.3% with only an alcohol use disorder and 17% with other drug use disorders (chi(2)=24.768; df=3; P<0.0001). More than half of the patients (55.26%) with a substance-induced mood or psychotic disorder expressed suicidal ideation (chi(2)=23.174, df=1, P<0.0001), and the majority (85%) of these patients had a cocaine use disorder (chi(2)=12.309, df=1, P<0.0005). In this sample of patients served by an urban PES, cocaine use is associated with suicidal ideation, more so than other substances of abuse.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

And now, transcriptomics.

In this issue of Neuron, report different patterns of 5-HT2C pre-mRNA editing in suicide victims, as compared to controls. Treatment of mice with fluoxetine alters the pattern of 5-HT2C transcript editing in the direction opposite that observed for suicide victims. The authors speculate on a possible serotonergic mechanism controlling 5-HT2C pre-mRNA editing.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Age, gender, and ethnicity differences in patterns of cocaine and ethanol use preceding suicide.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between suicide and substance use among completed suicides in Fulton County, Ga., from 1994 through 1998. METHOD: Extensive data on completed suicides were obtained from records of the Office of the Medical Examiner. Specific characteristics of the victims who had used cocaine, ethanol, or both before committing suicide were compared across demographic groups. RESULTS: There were important race, sex, and age differences among the victims who had used cocaine and ethanol before committing suicide. Almost all (94.6%) of the suicide victims in whom cocaine was detected were male, 51.4% of the cocaine-positive victims were African American men, and 43.2% were white men. Substance use by teenage victims differed dramatically across ethnic lines. The vast majority (86.7%) of African American teenagers did not use either substance before committing suicide, whereas 50.0% of the white teenage victims had used one or both substances, with 41.7% of the white teenagers having used ethanol. Overall, ethanol use was much more common among white victims of all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intoxicant use preceding suicide occurred in specific age-, ethnic-, and gender-based patterns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The relationship of restrictions on state hospitalization and suicides among emergency psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between mandated decreases in transfers to a state hospital from a large urban psychiatric emergency facility and the occurrence of suicide in the catchment area served. METHODS: During 1996, new admission criteria that emphasized psychiatric diagnosis and potential benefit from hospitalization and that restricted the admission of recidivistic patients and of those with a primary diagnosis of a substance use disorder were phased in. Data on the number of patients seen in a psychiatric emergency service and the number transferred to the state hospital were obtained for the period 1994-1998. Data on all completed suicides in the county served by the hospital were also obtained. RESULTS: During 1994 and 1995, a total of 9,308 patients were transferred to the state hospital. In 1997 and 1998, a total of 4,072 patients were transferred. The number of patients seen in the emergency service remained constant throughout the study period. No change was noted in the absolute number or the rate of suicide in the county after the new admission criteria were implemented. A total of 164 suicides were recorded in 1994-1995 (12 per 100,000 population per year), compared with 152 in 1997-1998 (ten per 100,000 population per year). CONCLUSIONS: Transfers to the state hospital were reduced by 56 percent, with no change in the suicide rate. This finding suggests that the availability of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization may not have a direct effect on the suicide rate.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗