Predictors and correlates of suicide attempts over 5 years in 1,237 alcohol-dependent men and women.
OBJECTIVE
In previous studies, factors related to a history of suicide attempts in persons with alcohol dependence have included sociodemographic variables, a more severe course of alcoholism, additional substance use disorders, and psychiatric comorbidity. This 5-year prospective study evaluated attributes associated with suicide attempts in a group of treatment-seeking persons with alcohol dependence. Psychiatric comorbidity was examined in terms of a distinction between substance-induced and independent psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 1,237 alcohol-dependent subjects from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism both at an initial evaluation and at a 5-year follow-up. Clinically relevant information was gathered at baseline, and suicidal behavior, aspects of alcohol dependence, and drug use were evaluated at the follow-up interview.


RESULTS
Alcohol-dependent subjects (N=56) with suicide attempts during the follow-up period were more likely than subjects with no suicide attempts (N=1,181) to have made prior attempts. Other factors related to future suicide attempts in univariate analyses included younger age, being separated or divorced, other drug dependence, substance-induced psychiatric disorders, and indicators of a more severe course of alcoholism. Gender did not predict future attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5-year prospective evaluation of attributes associated with suicide attempts among alcohol-dependent persons identified factors that contributed to a small but significant proportion of the variance for future suicidal behavior.
Preuss
Ulrich W
UW
VA San Diego Healthcare System and the University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Schuckit
Marc A
MA
Smith
Tom L
TL
Danko
George P
GP
Bucholz
Kathleen K
KK
Hesselbrock
Michie N
MN
Hesselbrock
Victor
V
Kramer
John R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data