Abstract
BackgroundThis European multicenter study aimed to elucidate suicidality in major depressive disorder. Previous surveys suggest a prevalence of suicidality in major depressive disorder of ≥50%, but little is known about the association of different degrees of suicidality with socio-demographic, psychosocial, and clinical characteristics.MethodsWe stratified 1410 major depressive disorder patients into 3 categories of suicidality based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression item 3 (suicidality) ratings (0=no suicidality; 1–2=mild/moderate suicidality; 3–4=severe suicidality). Chi-squared tests, analyses of covariance, and Spearman correlation analyses were applied for the data analyses.ResultsThe prevalence rate of suicidality in major depressive disorder amounted to 46.67% (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression item 3 score ≥1). 53.33% were allocated into the no, 38.44% into the mild/moderate, and 8.23% into the severe suicidality patient group. Due to the stratification of our major depressive disorder patient sample according to different levels of suicidality, we identified some socio-demographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables differentiating from the patient group without suicidality already in presence of mild/moderate suicidality (depressive symptom severity, treatment resistance, psychotic features, add-on medications in general), whereas others separated only when severe suicidality was manifest (inpatient treatment, augmentation with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, melancholic features, somatic comorbidities).ConclusionsAs even mild/moderate suicidality is associated with a failure of achieving treatment response, adequate recognition of this condition should be ensured in the clinical practice.
Highlights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents one of the most common medical illnesses worldwide with a median 12-month prevalence rate of 6.9% (Wittchen et al, 2011) and a lifetime prevalence rate varying between 11.2% and 16% (Bauer et al, 2013; Dold and Kasper, 2017)
As even mild/moderate suicidality is associated with a failure of achieving treatment response, adequate recognition of this condition should be ensured in the clinical practice
33.12% were male, 96.17% were Caucasians, and the mean age was 50.28 ± 14.11 years. 90.99% exhibited recurrent MDD, 10.92% psychotic features, 60.71% melancholic features, and 2.34% atypical features. 46.31% suffered from at least one somatic comorbidity and the most often identified psychiatric comorbidity was an anxiety disorder (20.85%). 34.61% of the participants were treated in an inpatient setting
Summary
Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents one of the most common medical illnesses worldwide with a median 12-month prevalence rate of 6.9% (Wittchen et al, 2011) and a lifetime prevalence rate varying between 11.2% and 16% (Bauer et al, 2013; Dold and Kasper, 2017). We sought (1) to examine the prevalence of different levels of suicidality in a large naturalistic MDD sample (n = 1410), (2) to investigate socio-demographic, psychosocial, and clinical features associated with suicidality, and (3) to explore the differences of these variables between the various degrees of suicidality This European multicenter study aimed to elucidate suicidality in major depressive disorder. Due to the stratification of our major depressive disorder patient sample according to different levels of suicidality, we identified some socio-demographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables differentiating from the patient group without suicidality already in presence of mild/moderate suicidality (depressive symptom severity, treatment resistance, psychotic features, add-on medications in general), whereas others separated only when severe suicidality was manifest (inpatient treatment, augmentation with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, melancholic features, somatic comorbidities)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
