Medical conditions and nearly lethal suicide attempts.
Physical illness has been studied as a risk factor for suicidal behavior, but little is known about this relationship among younger persons. We conducted a population-based, case-control study in Houston, Texas, from November 1992 through September 1995. The final sample consisted of 153 case- and 513 control-subjects aged 13 to 34 years. Case patients were identified at hospital emergency departments and met criteria for a nearly lethal suicide attempt. Control subjects were recruited via a random-digit-dial telephone survey. Case patients were more likely than controls to report having any serious medical conditions (crude OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 2.12-4.91). After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, alcoholism, depression, and hopelessness, the adjusted odds ratio for men was 4.76 (95% CI = 1.87-12.17), whereas the adjusted odds ratio for women was 1.60 (95% CI-0.62-4.17), suggesting that young men with medical conditions are at increased risk for nearly lethal suicide attempts. Increased efforts to identify and appropriately refer these patients are needed.
Ikeda
R M
RM
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. rmi0@cdc.gov
Kresnow
M J
MJ
Mercy
J A
JA
Powell
K E
KE
Simon
T R
TR
Potter
L B
LB
Durant
T M
TM
Swahn
M H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012737:Sex Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013781:Texas