Abstract
BackgroundSuicidal behaviour remains challenging for clinicians to predict, with few established risk factors and warning signs among psychiatric patients.AimWe aimed to describe characteristics and identify risk factors for suicide attempts among patients with psychiatric disorders.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for clinically important confounders, was employed to determine risk factors for suicide attempts within a psychiatric patient population.ResultsThe case (n = 146) and control groups (n = 104) did not differ significantly with regards to sociodemographic characteristics. The majority of the participants who had attempted suicide did so with high intent to die, and expected to die without medical intervention. The primary method of attempt was pharmaceutical overdose among the case participants (73.3%). Results showed impulsivity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.30) and borderline personality symptoms (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01–1.13) were significantly associated with attempted suicide.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that known sociodemographic risk factors for suicide may not apply within psychiatric populations. Prevention strategies for suicidal behaviour in psychiatric patients may be effective, including limited access to means for suicide attempts (i.e. excess pharmaceutical drugs) and target screening for high-risk personality and impulsivity traits.
Highlights
Suicidal behaviours are complex and can be challenging to foresee even among patients receiving medical and psychiatric care [1, 2]
Our findings indicate that known sociodemographic risk factors for suicide may not apply within psychiatric populations
Known risk factors for suicidal behaviours are largely based on studies of general community populations and these factors include prior suicide attempts, underlying psychiatric and substance use disorders, single marital status, unemployment, and major life stressors [8,9,10,11,12]
Summary
Suicidal behaviours are complex and can be challenging to foresee even among patients receiving medical and psychiatric care [1, 2]. Known risk factors for suicidal behaviours are largely based on studies of general community populations and these factors include prior suicide attempts, underlying psychiatric and substance use disorders, single marital status, unemployment, and major life stressors [8,9,10,11,12]. Some studies have examined suicidal risk factors among patients with specific psychiatric disorders [14,15,16], yet suicidal risk factors among broad psychiatric populations who typically present to clinical settings, including patients with multiple psychiatric diagnoses, are not yet clearly established. Defining high-risk psychiatric patients will allow clinicians to effectively screen patients for suicidal behaviour. Suicidal behaviour remains challenging for clinicians to predict, with few established risk factors and warning signs among psychiatric patients
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