Prevalence of and risk factors for suicide-related outcomes in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys Japan.
OBJECTIVE
Suicide is a major public health concern in Japan but little is known about the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. The aim of the present study was to clarify the prevalence of and risk factors for important suicide-related outcomes.


METHODS
Important suicide-related outcomes and risk factors were assessed in face-to-face interviews with 2436 adult respondents in seven areas as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Mental disorders were assessed with the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 10.9%, 2.1%, and 1.9%, respectively. Risk of suicide plans and attempts was highest when suicidal ideation occurred at an early age and within the first year of ideation. In middle-aged individuals, the period after first employment and the presence of mental disorders were risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk of suicide plans and attempts is highest when suicidal ideation occurred at an earlier age and within the first year of ideation. Mental disorders are as predictive of the suicide-related outcomes examined here, and comorbidity is an important predictor.
Ono
Yutaka
Y
Health Center, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. yutakaon@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
Kawakami
Norito
N
Nakane
Yoshibumi
Y
Nakamura
Yosikazu
Y
Tachimori
Hisateru
H
Iwata
Noboru
N
Uda
Hidenori
H
Nakane
Hideyuki
H
Watanabe
Makoto
M
Naganuma
Yoichi
Y
Furukawa
Toshiaki A
TA
Hata
Yukihiro
Y
Kobayashi
Masayo
M
Miyake
Yuko
Y
Tajima
Miyuki
M
Takeshima
Tadashi
T
Kikkawa
Takehiko
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult