目的：分析急診室內企圖自殺者的特質，瞭解自殺危險因子中，年齡與性別所扮演的角色及與其他自殺危險因子的相關性。 方法：取樣來自因企圖自殺而至急診室治療之個案，以訪談完成問卷資料。再將所有個案依年齡分成四組，比較各組間基本資料及各項自殺相關危險因子之差異，並針對年輕及年老兩組再作進一步統計分析；同樣以性別作區別，作上述之分析比較。 結果：在527名個案中，男女比例為1：2。相對於女性，男性中單身的較多，過去曾罹患有身體重大疾病、以喝農藥自殺的比率及自殺引發身體的致命度也相對增加。企圖自殺者的年齡方面，對照於年輕組，年老組中酒精濫用、以喝農藥自殺及自殺引發身體的致命度，皆相對增加；自殺的原因中，年輕組多數為衝動型，自殺意圖較不嚴重。 結論：在自殺企圖者中，雖然以女性及年輕成年的相對比例最多，但是男性及年老的一組，可能是未來自殺成功的高危險群。

　　　　　Objectives: To analyze the characteristics of patients with attempted suicide treated at the emergency room, and to investigate the association of age and gender with attempted suicide. Methods: Patients who had attempted suicide and were sent to emergency rooms in one medical center were included in the study. Information was collected using questionnaires in a structured interview. Cases were divided into four groups based on age. The demographic data and risk factors for suicide were analyzed and compared among the four age groups and between the two genders. Results: A total of 527 patients were included. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2. Compared to females, males were more likely to be single, have a history of major physical illness, have attempted suicide by ingesting agricultural poison and to have a severe suicidal lethality. Compared to young adult group, elderly subjects were more likely to have alcohol abuse, attempted suicide by ingesting agricultural poison and a severe suicidal lethality. Young adults were likely to be more impulsive and to not have severe suicidal intent. Conclusions: Although females and young adults had the highest rates of attempted suicide, males and the elderly were probably considered at high risk of committed suicide.