A comparison of the medical lethality of suicide attempts in bipolar and major depressive disorders

Objectives:  Among mood disorders, bipolar disorder (BPD) is often noted to involve the highest rates of suicide attempts and possibly of completion. This study sought to determine whether suicide attempters with BPD exhibit suicide attempts with higher lethality than attempters with major depressive disorder (MDD) and to explore differences in clinical features associated with suicidal acts.
Methods:  Mood disordered suicide attempters were interviewed about Axis I and II diagnoses, lifetime history of suicide attempts, suicidal intent, suicidal ideation, the medical lethality of their most severe suicide attempt, severity of depression, hopelessness, lifetime aggression, and impulsivity.
Results:  The maximum lethality of suicidal acts tended to be higher among BPD attempters compared with those with MDD. However, there were no differences in the number of suicide attempts, intent to die or suicidal ideation. Suicide attempters with BPD reported higher levels of aggression and impulsivity but less hopelessness compared with MDD attempters. These differences could not be explained by Cluster B personality disorder comorbidity. Of note, within the BPD group, but not the MDD group, males reported suicidal acts with higher lethality. Multivariate analyses suggested that risk for more lethal suicide attempts is associated with BPD and male sex and that bipolar males appear to be especially vulnerable to these behaviors.
Conclusions:  Males with BPD make more lethal suicide attempts than females with BPD, an effect not observed among the MDD sample. Our findings suggest that higher rates of suicidal behavior in BPD may be due to a specific effect of BPD on males, leading to more dangerous suicidal behaviors. This effect, together with the larger proportion of males in the BPD group compared with the MDD group may lead to higher rates of reported attempted and completed suicide.     

History of suicide attempts in pediatric bipolar disorder: factors associated with increased risk

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence indicating high morbidity associated with pediatric bipolar disorder (BP), little is known about the prevalence and clinical correlates of suicidal behavior among this population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of suicidal behavior among children and adolescents with BP, and to compare subjects with a history of suicide attempt to those without on demographic, clinical, and familial risk factors. METHODS: Subjects were 405 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years, who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for BPI (n = 236) or BPII (n = 29), or operationalized criteria for BP not otherwise specified (BP NOS; n = 140) via the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children. As part of a multi-site longitudinal study of pediatric BP (Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth), demographic, clinical, and family history variables were measured at intake via clinical interview with the subject and a parent/guardian. RESULTS: Nearly one-third of BP patients had a lifetime history of suicide attempt. Attempters, compared with non-attempters, were older, and more likely to have a lifetime history of mixed episodes, psychotic features, and BPI. Attempters were more likely to have a lifetime history of comorbid substance use disorder, panic disorder, non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, family history of suicide attempt, history of hospitalization, and history of physical and/or sexual abuse. Multivariate analysis found that the following were the most robust set of predictors for suicide attempt: mixed episodes, psychosis, hospitalization, self-injurious behavior, panic disorder, and substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that children and adolescents with BP exhibit high rates of suicidal behavior, with more severe features of BP illness and comorbidity increasing the risk for suicide attempt. Multiple clinical factors emerged distinguishing suicide attempters from non-attempters. These clinical factors should be considered in both assessment and treatment of pediatric BP.     

Differences in incidence of suicide attempts during phases of bipolar I and II disorders

Background:  Differences in the incidence of suicide attempts during various phases of bipolar disorder (BD), or the relative importance of static versus time-varying risk factors for overall risk for suicide attempts, are unknown.
Methods:  We investigated the incidence of suicide attempts in different phases of BD as a part of the Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS), a naturalistic, prospective, 18-month study representing psychiatric in- and outpatients with DSM-IV BD in three Finnish cities. Life charts were used to classify time spent in follow-up in the different phases of illness among the 81 BD I and 95 BD II patients.
Results:  Compared to the other phases of the illness, the incidence of suicide attempts was 37-fold higher [95% confidence interval (CI) for relative risk (RR): 11.8–120.3] during combined mixed and depressive mixed states, and 18-fold higher (95% CI: 6.5–50.8) during major depressive phases. In Cox's proportional hazards regression models, combined mixed (mixed or depressive mixed) or major depressive phases and prior suicide attempts independently predicted suicide attempts. No other factor significantly modified the risks related to these time-varying risk factors; their population-attributable fraction was 86%.
Conclusions:  The incidence of suicide attempts varies remarkably between illness phases, with mixed and depressive phases involving the highest risk by time. Time spent in high-risk illness phases is likely the major determinant of overall risk for suicide attempts among BD patients. Studies of suicidal behavior should investigate the role of both static and time-varying risk factors in overall risk; clinically, management of mixed and depressive phases may be crucial in reducing risk.     

Risk of suicide attempt and suicide death in patients treated for bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate demographic and clinical predictors of suicide attempt and suicide death in a population-based sample of people treated for bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: Computerized records were used to identify 32,360 individuals treated for BD at two large prepaid health plans. Suicide attempts were identified using computerized records of outpatient visit diagnoses and hospital discharge diagnoses. Suicide deaths were identified using state death certificate data. RESULTS: Overall event rates were 1.06 per 1,000 person-years for suicide death, 5.6 per 1,000 person-years for suicide attempt leading to hospitalization, and 13.9 per 1,000 person-years for suicide attempt not leading to hospitalization. Men had a significantly lower rate of suicide attempt [hazard ratio (HR) 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.83] but a higher rate of suicide death (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.69-4.31). Suicide attempts were significantly more frequent among younger patients, but suicide deaths did not vary significantly by age. Substance use comorbidity was significantly related to risk of suicide attempt (HR 2.53, 95% CI 2.07-3.09) but not to risk of suicide death (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.54-1.93). Comorbid anxiety disorder was associated with significantly higher risk of both suicide attempt (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.14-1.72) and suicide death (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.09-2.99). CONCLUSIONS: Among people treated for BD, risk of suicide death is significantly related to male sex and comorbid anxiety disorder. The predictors of suicide death differ markedly from predictors of suicide attempt.     

Frequency and clinical features of suicide attempts in elderly patients in Japan

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of suicide attempts in elderly patients (≥65 years) in Japan. We enrolled 546 patients who attempted suicide and were hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Characteristics were compared between the elderly and non‐elderly patients. Compared with the non‐elderly group, the incidence of mood disorders was significantly higher and the average length of stay in the intensive care unit and the duration of hospitalization were significantly longer in the elderly group. Elderly patients hospitalized for attempted suicide were more likely to have mood disorders than the non‐elderly.     

Suicidal attempts in bipolar disorder: results from an observational study (EMBLEM)

Bellivier F, Yon L, Luquiens A, Azorin J‐M, Bertsch J, Gerard S, Reed C, Lukasiewicz M. Suicidal attempts in bipolar disorder: results from an observational study (EMBLEM).
Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 377–386. © 2011 The Authors.
Journal compilation © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: To compare patients with and without a history of suicidal attempts in a large cohort of patients with bipolar disorder and to identify variables that are associated with suicidal behavior. Methods: European Mania in Bipolar Longitudinal Evaluation of Medication (EMBLEM) is a two‐year, prospective, observational study that enrolled 3,684 adult patients with bipolar disorder and initiated or changed oral treatment for an acute manic/mixed episode. Of those, 2,416 patients were eligible for the two‐year follow‐up. Only baseline characteristics were studied in the present study, included sociodemographic data, psychiatric history and comorbidities, history of suicide attempts, history of substance use problems, compliance with treatment, inpatient admissions, and functional status. Symptom severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Disorder (CGI‐BP) scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the 5‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD‐5). A logistic regression model identified baseline variables independently associated with a history of suicidal behavior. Results: Of the 2,219 patients who provided data on their lifetime history of suicide attempts, 663 (29.9%) had a history of suicidal behavior (at least one attempt). Baseline factors associated with a history of suicidal behavior included female gender, a history of alcohol abuse, a history of substance abuse, young age at first treatment for a mood episode, longer disease duration, greater depressive symptom severity (HAMD‐5 total score), current benzodiazepine use, higher overall symptom severity (CGI‐BP: mania and overall score), and poor compliance. Conclusions: These factors may be considered as potential characteristics to identify subjects at risk for suicidal behavior throughout the course of bipolar disorder.     

伴自杀未遂双相障碍患者的血清脑源性神经营养因子水平

目的 分析伴自杀未遂的双相障碍（BD）患者与不伴自杀未遂患者及健康人群间血清BDNF水平的差异,探讨BDNF在预防BD患者自杀中的作用.方法 采用DSM-IV轴Ⅰ障碍用临床定式检查（患者版）（SCID-I/P）对临床诊断为心境障碍的患者进行评佑.纳入111例BD患者（26例有自杀未遂史）及41例健康对照.使用汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD-17）及杨氏躁狂量表（YMRS）评估患者症状严重程度;使用酶联免疫吸附测定法测定所有研究对象的血清BDNF水平.结果 伴自杀未遂的BD患者血清BDNF水平（13.8±7.4） ng/ml显著低于无自杀未遂患者（18.7±11.9） ng/ml及健康对照组（26.0±12.9）ng/ml（F=9.371,P＜0.01）;伴自杀未遂的BD患者抑郁发作次数显著多于不伴自杀未遂患者,在控制抑郁发作次数后,两组间血清BDNF水平差异消失（P=0.236）;伴自杀未遂的BD患者血清BDNF水平和抑郁发作次数有相关性的倾向（r=-0.388,P=0.068）,与HAMD-17得分呈负相关（r=-0.585,P＜0.01）.结论 本研究提示BDNF在BD及BD患者自杀未遂的病理生理机制中起重要作用;伴自杀未遂的BD患者血清BDNF水平可能与抑郁发作次数、抑郁严重程度相关;通过有效治疗来提高BDNF水平可能通过减少抑郁发作次数,降低抑郁严重程度来降低自杀风险.     

Influence of childhood maltreatment on prevalence,onset, and persistence of psychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts in bipolar disorders

BackgroundPsychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts are highly prevalent in Bipolar Disorders (BD). We examined the associations between childhood maltreatment, psychiatric comorbidities, and suicide attempts, in terms of lifetime prevalence, sequence of onset, and current symptoms.MethodsWe assessed 3,047 individuals with BD for suicide attempts, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. Participants completed a self-report for the assessment of childhood maltreatment. Associations between childhood maltreatment and characteristics of comorbidities (lifetime prevalence, current symptoms, and age at onset) were examined using logistic regressions and network analyses.ResultsPsychiatric comorbidities were frequent with a mean number per individual of 1.23 (SD = 1.4). Most comorbidities occurred prior to the onset of BD. Participants who reported higher levels of childhood maltreatment had more frequent and multiple comorbidities, which were also more currently active at inclusion. Childhood maltreatment did not decrease the age of onset of comorbidities, but was associated with a faster accumulation of comorbidities prior to the onset of BD. Logistic regression and network analyses showed that emotional abuse and sexual abuse might play a prominent role in the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts.ConclusionsChildhood maltreatment was associated with suicide attempts, and with frequent, multiple, and persistent psychiatric comorbidities that accumulated more rapidly prior to the onset of BD. Hence, childhood maltreatment should be systematically assessed in individuals with BD, in particular when the course of the disorder is characterized by a high comorbid profile or by a high suicidality.     

Substance use disorders and suicide attempts in bipolar subtypes

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with high rates of suicide attempt and completion. Substance use disorders (SUD) have been identified as potent risk factors for suicidal behavior in BD. However, little is known concerning differences between BD subtypes with regard to SUD as a risk factor for suicidal behavior. We studied previous suicidal behavior in adults with a major depressive episode in context of BD type I (BD-I; N = 96) or BD type II (BD-II; N = 42), with and without history of SUD. Logistic regressions assessed the association between SUD and suicide attempt history by BD type, and exploratory analyses examined the effects of other clinical characteristics on these relationships. SUD were associated with suicide attempt in BD-I but not BD-II, an effect not attributable to sample size differences. The higher suicide attempt rate associated with alcoholism in BD-I was mostly explained by higher aggression scores, and earlier age of BD onset increased the likelihood that alcohol use disorder would be associated with suicide attempt(s). The higher suicide attempt rate associated with other drug use disorders in BD-I was collectively explained by higher impulsivity, hostility, and aggression scores. The presence of both alcohol and drug use disorders increased odds of a history of suicide attempt in a multiplicative fashion: 97% of BD-I who had both co-morbid drug and alcohol use disorders had made a suicide attempt. A critical next question is how to target SUD and aggressive traits for prevention of suicidal behavior in BD-I.     

Suicide attempts in bipolar I and bipolar II disorder: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence

Novick DM, Swartz HA, Frank E. Suicide attempts in bipolar I and bipolar II disorder: a review and meta‐analysis of the evidence. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 1–9. © 2010 The Authors.
Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective: The prevalence of suicide attempts (SA) in bipolar II disorder (BPII), particularly in comparison to the prevalence in bipolar I disorder (BPI), is an understudied and controversial issue with mixed results. To date, there has been no comprehensive review of the published prevalence data for attempted suicide in BPII. Methods: We conducted a literature review and meta‐analysis of published reports that specified the proportion of individuals with BPII in their presentation of SA data. Systematic searching yielded 24 reports providing rates of SA in BPII and 21 reports including rates of SA in both BPI and BPII. We estimated the prevalence of SA in BPII by combining data across reports of similar designs. To compare rates of SA in BPII and BPI, we calculated a pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with random‐effect meta‐analytic techniques with retrospective data from 15 reports that detailed rates of SA in both BPI and BPII. Results: Among the 24 reports with any BPII data, 32.4% (356/1099) of individuals retrospectively reported a lifetime history of SA, 19.8% (93/469) prospectively reported attempted suicide, and 20.5% (55/268) of index attempters were diagnosed with BPII. In 15 retrospective studies suitable for meta‐analysis, the prevalence of attempted suicide in BPII and BPI was not significantly different: 32.4% and 36.3%, respectively (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.98–1.48, p = 0.07). Conclusion: The contribution of BPII to suicidal behavior is considerable. Our findings suggest that there is no significant effect of bipolar subtype on rate of SA. Our findings are particularly alarming in concert with other evidence, including (i) the well‐documented predictive role of SA for completed suicide and (ii) the evidence suggesting that individuals with BPII use significantly more violent and lethal methods than do individuals with BPI. To reduce suicide‐related morbidity and mortality, routine clinical care for BPII must include ongoing risk assessment and interventions targeted at risk factors.