Suicidal ideation, psychiatric disorder, and medical illness in a community epidemiological study.
Many epidemiological studies have analyzed suicidal ideation in clinical samples, but only a few have been performed in the general population. We present the results of a two-stage epidemiological study in the general population on the island of Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain), which used the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in the first stage (n = 697) and the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) in the second (n = 242). We also recorded medical illnesses diagnosed in the subjects at the second stage. Four items on the GHQ-28 ask directly about suicidal thoughts or ideation. From the sample, 6.5% have reported suicidal ideation. Mental disorders are the most important factor associated with suicidal ideation; medical illnesses seem to play a secondary role.
Gili-Planas
M
M
University of Balearic Islands, Spain. mgili@uib.es
Roca-Bennasar
M
M
Ferrer-Perez
V
V
Bernardo-Arroyo
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*