Abstract
In this multi-center cohort study, suicide attempters presenting to hospital (N = 355, 63% women) were interviewed using the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) and followed-up by medical record review. Main outcome was non-fatal or fatal repeat suicide attempt within six months. Also, repeat attempt using a violent method was used as an additional outcome in separate analyses. Data were analyzed for the total group and for men and women separately. Repeat attempts were observed within six months in 78 persons (22%) and 21 (6%) of these used a violent method. KIVS total score of 6 or more was associated with repeat suicide attempt within six months (OR = 1.81, CI 1.08–3.02) and predicted new attempts with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 53%. A three-fold increase in odds ratio was observed for repeat attempt using a violent method (OR = 3.40, CI 1.22–9.49). An association between exposure to violence in adulthood and violent reattempt was seen in women (OR = 1.38, CI 1.06–1.82). The overall conclusions are that information about interpersonal violence may help predict short-term risk for repeat suicide attempt, and that structured assessment of interpersonal violence may be of value in risk assessment after attempted suicide.
Highlights
In this multi-center cohort study, suicide attempters presenting to hospital (N = 355, 63% women) were interviewed using the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) and followed-up by medical record review
Whether information about interpersonal violence can help predict suicide attempts in a short-term perspective has not been studied before. In this clinical cohort study of suicide attempters, we aimed to evaluate the ability of the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale to predict a repeat suicide attempt within a short-term follow-up period of 6 months
The current study is based on data for 355 suicide attempters (133 men and 222 women), with a mean age of 40 years
Summary
KIVS total score of 6 or more was associated with repeat suicide attempt within six months (OR = 1.81, CI 1.08–3.02) and predicted new attempts with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 53%. Further research on factors related to short-term risk among suicide attempters is needed to guide preventive efforts[2,16] Violent methods such as using firearms, hanging and jumping from a height are associated with higher immediate lethality of an attempt[17] as well as elevated risk of future suicide[12,13]. An early traumatic life event is a known risk factor for later suicide 4, and exposure to violence in childhood is associated with later suicidal behavior[19]. Mutual pathways to aggressive and suicidal www.nature.com/scientificreports/
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