Value of measuring suicidal intent in the assessment of people attending hospital following self-poisoning or self-injury.
BACKGROUND
Self-harm is associated with a high risk of suicide. It is unclear whether suicidal intent at the time of self-harm is a risk factor for future suicidal behaviour.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between suicidal intent and patient characteristics, repetition of self-harm, and suicide.


METHODS
Clinical and demographic data on 4415 patients presenting to hospital following self-harm between 1993 and 2000 were analysed. Suicidal intent was measured using the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). Follow-up information on repetition of self-harm and suicide was investigated for 2489 patients presenting between 1993 and 1997.


RESULTS
Suicidal intent at the time of self-harm was associated with risk of subsequent suicide, especially within the first year and among female patients. Suicide was more strongly associated with scores on the circumstances section of the SIS than the self-report section. The association between repetition of self-harm and SIS scores was different for male and female patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of suicidal intent in the assessment of self-harm patients is beneficial for the evaluation of future suicide risk. A shortened measuring scale might be useful in clinical practice.
Harriss
Louise
L
Centre for Suicide Research, University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX37JX,UK.
Hawton
Keith
K
Zahl
Daniel
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires