Medical conditions and nearly lethal suicide attempts

Physical illness has been studied as a risk factor for suicidal behavior, but little is known about this relationship among younger persons. We conducted a population-based, case-control study in Houston, Texas, from November 1992 through September 1995. The final sample consisted of 153 case- and 513 control-subjects aged 13 to 34 years. Case patients were identified at hospital emergency departments and met criteria for a nearly lethal suicide attempt. Control subjects were recruited via a random-digit-dial telephone survey. Case patients were more likely than controls to report having any serious medical conditions (crude OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 2.12-4.91). After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, alcoholism, depression, and hopelessness, the adjusted odds ratio for men was 4.76 (95% CI = 1.87-12.17), whereas the adjusted odds ratio for women was 1.60 (95% CI-0.62-4.17), suggesting that young men with medical conditions are at increased risk for nearly lethal suicide attempts. Increased efforts to identify and appropriately refer these patients are needed.