The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profile of suicide cases involving substances in a state Brazil: an analysis of a 6-year period.

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the epidemiological and toxicological profile of died of suicides in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, over a period of 6 years, and understand how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced it. A cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive, and retrospective study was conducted based on the suicide cases registered in the Scientific Police of Santa Catarina over six years. A total of 3,557 cases were analyzed, with small variations being observed between the years in question. The victims were predominantly male (79.73%) and adults, most of whom were aged 50 to 59 (14.76%). In 43.18% of cases, at least one psychoactive substance was identified, with antidepressants (20.65%), anxiolytics (18.48%), and cocaine (13.35%) standing out. In most cases (72.52%), the alcohol concentration was less than 1 dg/L. The use of medication, drugs, and alcohol before suicide was more prevalent in women (p < 0.05), whereas cocaine was more prevalent among men (p < 0.05). The data characterize the epidemiological profile of suicide victims, in addition to demonstrating the low variations in the number of suicides comparing the year with the COVID-19 Pandemic and without a pandemic, in the short term.