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Attempted suicide predicts suicide risk in mood disorders
P Nordström1, M Asberg, A Aberg-Wistedt
1Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1995
Summary
A recent suicide attempt significantly increases suicide risk for mood disorder inpatients, especially within the first year. This finding highlights the critical need for serious attention to suicide attempts in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mood disorders are associated with elevated suicide risk.
- Previous suicide attempts are a known predictor of future suicidal behavior.
- Hospitalized patients with mood disorders represent a high-risk group for suicide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of a current suicide attempt on subsequent suicide risk in mood disorder inpatients.
- To quantify the short-term and long-term suicide mortality rates based on a history of recent suicide attempts.
Main Methods:
- Survival analysis was employed to assess suicide risk.
- Patients were stratified into two groups: those with a current suicide attempt and those without.
- A cohort of 346 mood disorder inpatients was followed for a mean of 6 years.
Main Results:
- The overall suicide mortality rate in the study sample was 8% over a 6-year follow-up.
- Patients with a recent suicide attempt had a 12% suicide risk in the first year, compared to 2% in those without.
- Long-term suicide risk was 15% for attempters versus 5% for non-attempters.
Conclusions:
- A current suicide attempt is a strong predictor of suicide risk in mood disorder inpatients.
- The heightened risk is particularly pronounced within the first year following an attempt.
- Clinical vigilance and intervention are crucial for mood disorder patients with a history of suicide attempts.