Hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in childhood and suicidal behaviors in adolescence: the Youth Gazel Cohort.
OBJECTIVE
Although a link has been suggested between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and completed suicide, little is known about the association with suicidal behaviors in community settings. This study addresses the relationship between childhood hyperactivity-inattention symptoms (HI-s) and subsequent suicidal behaviors.


METHODS
Nine hundred sixteen subjects aged 7-18 were recruited from the general population and surveyed in 1991 and 1999. Parent and adolescent self-reports provided psychopathology and suicidal behavior pattern measures. Multivariate modeling was used to evaluate the effects of childhood HI-s and other risk factors on adolescent suicidal behaviors.


RESULTS
In males, HI-s independently accounted for the risk of lifetime suicide plans/attempts (OR=3.25, P = 0.02) and adolescent 12-month prevalence rates of suicide plans/attempts (OR=5.46, P = 0.03). In females, HI-s did not independently heighten the likelihood of suicidal behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey suggests a possible specific link between HI-s and suicide plans/attempts in males.
Galéra
C
C
Child Psychiatry Department, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France. cedric.galera@u-bordeaux2.fr
Bouvard
M P
MP
Encrenaz
G
G
Messiah
A
A
Fombonne
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult