Clinical Profile, Corticosteroid Usage and Predictors of Mortality in Near-hanging Patients: A Five-year, Single-center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Hanging is the most common method of suicide in India. When near-hanging patients reach the hospital for treatment, their neurological outcome ranges from full recovery to severe neurological impairment or death. This study looked at the clinical profile, usage of corticosteroids and predictors of mortality in near-hanging patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from May 2017 to April 2022. Demographic, clinical, and treatment details were collected from case records. Neurological outcome at discharge was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). RESULTS: The study involved 323 patients, 60% of men with a median (interquartile range) age of 30 (20–39). At the time of admission, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8 in 110 (34%) patients, hypotension was present in 43 (13.3%) of patients, and 21 (6.5%) had hanging-induced cardiac arrest. About 101 patients required intensive care unit care. Corticosteroid therapy was given to 219 patients (67.8%) as part of anti-cerebral edema measures. Good neurological recovery was found (GOS-5) in 84.2% of patients, and the death rate (GOS-1) was 9.3%. Univariate logistic regression showed that usage of corticosteroids is significantly associated with poor survival (p < 0.02, odds ratio 4.7). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, GCS ≤8, hypotension, need for intensive care, hanging-induced cardiac arrest, aspiration pneumonia, and severe cerebral edema were found to be significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The majority of near-hanging patients had a good neurological recovery. Corticosteroids were used in two-thirds of the study population. There were multiple variables associated with mortality. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Ramadoss R, Sekar D, Rameesh M, Saibaba J, Raman D. Clinical Profile, Corticosteroid Usage and Predictors of Mortality in Near-hanging Patients: A Five-year, Single-center Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(6):403–410.