Introduction Cross sectional epidemiologic studies have reported an association between cigarette smoking and suicide of a magnitude similar to that of the association between smoking and coronary heart disease [1]. Few prospective studies showed a similar association, including a dosedependent relationship between smoking and increased risk for suicide [2]. Relative rates of suicide in smokers stay elevated when adjusted to potential confounding factors such as income, race, previous

more »

... infarction, diabetes, and alcohol intake. Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts in psychiatric patients: psychiatric patients who smoke have a 43% greater risk of experiencing mild to severe suicidal ideation, compared with non smokers [2]. Bolton et al. [3] identified risk factors for suicide attempts over a three-year follow-up. The adjusted odd ratio of nicotine dependence for suicide risk was 3.17. A longitudinal study [4]) of young adults over a 10-year follow-up showed that current daily smoking, but not past smoking, predicted the occurrence of suicidal thoughts or attempt. This risk factor was independent of prior depression and other substance use disorders (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.69). Additionally, current daily smoking, but not past smoking, predicted the subsequent occurrence of suicidal thoughts or attempt (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.54) [4]. No study assessed systematically nicotine consumption and dependence in a population of suicide attempters. Aim of the Study In order to study the relation between suicidal behaviour and nicotine consumption, we investigated nicotine dependence in a population examined in an emergency ward after a suicide attempt. We addressed the two following questions: Abstract Background: To assess the prevalence of nicotine dependence in a population of patients examined following a