Diagnostic characteristics and dispositions in suicidal hospitalized medical and surgical patients

Suicidal ideation is frequently identified in psychiatric consultation patients, but the outcomes of patients with suicidal ideation are infrequently discussed. We reviewed 4 years of consultations and identified two groups of suicidal patients, those admitted following suicide attempts and those with medical illnesses. These groups and the remaining nonsuicidal patients were analyzed for lengths of stay, diagnoses, and outcomes. Suicidal patients were younger (p less than 0.001), and had earlier consultations (p less than 0.001) and shorter stays (p less than 0.001). There were more affective disorders (p less than 0.001) and Axis II disorders (p less than 0.001) in suicidal patients, but more adjustment disorders (p less than 0.005) in nonsuicidal patients.