Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation and Attempt in Patients With Skull Base Tumors.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Neurosurgery
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Patients with head and neck cancer exhibit elevated suicide rates compared to the general population.
• The specific risks of suicidal ideation and attempt (SIA) in skull base tumor (SBT) patients are not well understood.
• Understanding these risks is crucial for targeted interventions in this patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with SIA in patients diagnosed with SBTs.
• To analyze the impact of comorbidities, substance use, and treatment modalities on SIA risk.
• To inform the development of screening and intervention strategies for SBT patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2019.
• Analysis of 275,195 hospitalizations involving patients with SBTs.
• Application of survey-weighted methods for univariable and multivariable risk factor assessment for SIA.

Main Results:

• SIA was diagnosed in 0.78% of SBT patients.
• Younger age, emergent admissions, and socioeconomic difficulties significantly increased SIA risk.
• Mental health comorbidities (depressive, bipolar, adjustment disorders) and substance use disorders (alcohol, cannabis) were strong predictors of SIA.

Conclusions:

• Key risk factors for SIA in SBT patients include younger age, socioeconomic challenges, mental health conditions, and substance use.
• Protective factors identified were surgery and treatment in Western hospitals.
• Regular suicidality screening and proactive mental health interventions are recommended for this population.