Fatal suicidal behavior in Bipolar II patients after their first hospitalization

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Bipolar II disorder is associated with a significant risk of fatal suicide behavior (FSB).
• Understanding the rate and risk factors for FSB is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of FSB in Bipolar II patients.
• To identify risk factors associated with FSB in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 59 Bipolar II patients, meeting DSM-IV criteria, hospitalized for the first time between 1996-2016 was studied.
• Clinical variables from first hospitalization were collected.
• Patients were followed until December 2020 to identify FSB, comparing baseline variables between those with and without FSB.

Main Results:

• 10% of Bipolar II inpatients died by suicide, primarily within five years of their first hospitalization.
• Fatal suicide behavior (FSB) was often violent (83%) and occurred around age 45.5.
• A history of previous violent suicide attempts was the only significant risk factor for FSB (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Bipolar II disorder exhibits a high rate of completed suicide.
• A prior history of violent suicide attempts is a key predictor of completed suicide in Bipolar II disorder.
• Early identification and intervention for patients with a history of violent attempts are critical.