抑郁症自杀倾向与多导睡眠图的关系

目的：探讨抑郁症患者自杀倾向与多导睡眠图之间的关系。方法：对16例有明显自杀观念或自杀行为的抑郁症患者（自杀组）、20例无自杀观念或自杀行为的抑郁症患者（非自杀组）、20例正常对照者检测多导睡眠图,并进行睡眠参数比较。结果：①抑郁症自杀组与非自杀组均存在诸多睡眠指标的异常,包括睡眠总时间减少、慢波睡眠百分比降低、睡眠效率和睡眠维持率降低、觉醒时间和觉醒次数增加、觉睡比和睡眠阶段s1百分比增加、REM睡眠潜伏期缩短以及REM密度增加。②自杀组与非自杀组相比,前者在睡眠进程方面表现为更加频繁的觉醒、更长的觉醒时间、更高的觉睡比以及更低的睡眠维持率,在REM睡眠方面,前者表现为更加严重的REM睡眠脱抑制,如REM睡眠潜伏期更短、整夜REM睡眠时间更长,整夜及第一个REM睡眠百分比更高、REM活动度和强度更高。结论：抑郁症的睡眠维持障碍和REM睡眠紊乱与其自杀倾向可能具有密切联系,表现为频繁的觉醒、REMM睡眠潜伏期缩短、REM活动度和强度增加以及REM睡眠时间延长的抑郁症患者可能预示更高的自杀风险。     

Mobile Crisis Team Intervention to Enhance Linkage of Discharged Suicidal Emergency Department Patients to Outpatient Psychiatric Services: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: Many suicidal patients treated and released from emergency departments (ED) fail to follow through with subsequent outpatient psychiatric appointments, often presenting back for repeat ED services. Thus, the authors sought to determine whether a mobile crisis team (MCT) intervention would be more effective than standard referral to a hospital‐based clinic as a means of establishing near‐term clinical contact after ED discharge. This objective was based on the premise that increased attendance at the first outpatient mental health appointment would initiate an ongoing treatment course, with subsequent differential improvements in psychiatric symptoms and functioning for patients successfully linked to care. Methods: In a rater‐blinded, randomized controlled trial, 120 participants who were evaluated for suicidal thoughts, plans, or behaviors, and who were subsequently discharged from an urban ED, were randomized to follow‐up either in the community via a MCT or at an outpatient mental health clinic (OPC). Both MCTs and OPCs offered the same structured array of clinical services and referral options. Results: Successful first clinical contact after ED discharge (here described as “linkage” to care) occurred in 39 of 56 (69.6%) participants randomized to the MCT versus 19 of 64 (29.6%) to the OPC (relative risk = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.55–3.56, p < 0.001). However, we detected no significant differences between groups using intention‐to‐treat analyses in symptom or functional outcome measures, at either 2 weeks or 3 months after enrollment. We also found no significant differences in outcomes between participants who did attend their first prescribed appointment via MCT or OPC versus those who did not. However divided (MCT vs. OPC, present at first appointment vs. no show), groups showed significant improvements but maintained clinically significant levels of dysfunction and continued to rely on ED services at a similar rate in the 6 months after study enrollment. Conclusions: Community‐based mobile outreach was a highly effective method of contacting suicidal patients who were discharged from the ED. However, establishing initial postdischarge contact in the community versus the clinic did not prove more effective at enhancing symptomatic or functional outcomes, nor did successful linkage with outpatient psychiatric care. Overall, participants showed some improvement shortly after ED discharge regardless of outpatient clinical contact, but nonetheless remained significantly symptomatic and at risk for repeated ED presentations. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:36–43 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine     

Suicidal Ideation and Perceived Burdensomeness in Patients with Chronic Pain

There is a clear relationship between suicide risk and chronic pain conditions. However, the exact nature of this link has been poorly understood, with risk attribution often limited to comorbid depression. Perceived burdensomeness has already been confirmed as a risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt in the general population. Self‐perceived burden, studied among medically and terminally ill medical populations, has begun to receive a great deal of attention as a suicide risk factor. However, this risk has not been considered in an outpatient chronic pain population, a group likely to experience perceived burdensomeness as a particular problem. Guidelines recommend routine suicide risk screening in medical settings, but many questionnaires are time‐consuming and do not allow for the assessment of the presence of newly identified risk constructs, such as perceived burdensomeness. This retrospective study examined the relationship between depression, perceived burdensomeness, and SI in a patient sample seeking behavioral treatment for chronic pain management. A logistic regression model was developed, with preliminary results indicating perceived burdensomeness was the sole predictor of SI, even in the presence of other well‐established risk factors such as age, gender, depressive symptoms, and pain severity. Findings highlight the potential utility of a single‐item screening question in routine clinical care as an incrementally superior predictor of SI in a chronic pain population.     

Suicidal thinking in multiple sclerosis

Purpose.?Studies demonstrate that suicidal ideation ((SI)) is greater in persons with multiple sclerosis ((MS)) than in the general population. SI may offer some MS patients a mechanism for feeling in control of their lives, in the face of a daunting, unpredictable disease. In this study, we determined what specific mental constructs or perceptual themes occur for MS patients experiencing SI, while also examining the construct of ‘control’ as a central theme.

Methods.?Individual interviews ((N == 16)) were audiotaped, transcribed and qualitatively analysed by two independent raters to test for key themes in MS patients reporting SI.

Results. In relation to SI, eight key themes were identified by both raters as having been expressed in interviews: perceived loss of control, increased family tension, loneliness, hopelessness and frustration, physical and psychological impact of MS, loss of perceived masculinity or femininity, regaining control and failure to achieve desired or expected role functioning. We created a model to explain the emergence of these themes as they contribute to SI among patients with MS. All participants indicated that perceived loss of control elicited thoughts of suicide.

Conclusion.?Perceived loss of control appears to be a major disease related burden associated with SI in MS patients.     

Internet Suicide Guidelines: Report of a Life-Threatening Poisoning Using Tobacco Extract

Background: Severe nicotine intoxication occurred in a patient after ingestion of a tobacco extract made from a recipe found on a freely available Internet site. Objectives: To determine the levels of nicotine and cotinine in the plasma of a patient who tried to commit suicide by drinking a highly concentrated tobacco extract. Case report: A 67-year-old man tried to commit suicide by following guidelines found on an Internet site. He soaked 300 grams of tobacco for 3 days in water, evaporated most of the extract, and drank the rest of it. He felt sick immediately, with the following signs: respiratory depression, hypothermia, hypersalivation, bradycardia, and myoclonic jerks. Soon after the ingestion he vomited most of the extract. Toxicological analysis revealed potentially life-threatening nicotine and cotinine serum concentrations. Surprisingly, nicotine peak levels (322 μg/L) and cotinine peak levels (9092 μg/L) were reached more than 3 h after ingestion of the extract. Estimated nicotine and cotinine half-lives were 200 min and 1185 min, respectively. Treatment consisted of gastric lavage, ventilation, and monitoring of vital functions. The patient recovered and was discharged from the Emergency Department 4 days later without sequelae. Conclusion: Nicotinergic intoxication is not always easy to recognize, and without clues from the patient and the toxicologic analysis, might well have been missed in the present case.     

开放式病房抑郁症患者自杀行为分析与对策

目的 探讨开放性心理病房抑郁症患者自杀行为的对策.方法 将195例抑郁症患者自杀风险进行回顾性分析.结果 自杀方式以割脉(33.3%)为多见,自杀多在春季(3-5月)(41.7%)、凌晨(50.0%)发生.有自杀史占16.4%,有抑郁家族史占10.8%.结论 抑郁症患者多在春季、凌晨以割脉方式自杀,有自杀史和抑郁家族史者占多数.认为应对开放式心理病房抑郁症患者进行全面的风险评估;并对病房加强管理,控制可获得的致命工具;掌握病情,针对性做好安全护理以便有效预防抑郁症的自杀行为.     

口服药物自杀未遂者心理状况分析及心理干预

目的:探讨口服药物自杀未遂者的心理状态,为心理评估和心理干预提供依据。方法:采用明尼苏达多相人格调查表、Zang’s抑郁自评量表、焦虑自评量表和症状自评量表评定42例口服药物自杀存活患者心理状态,在常规治疗、健康教育与心理干预3个月后,应用Zang’s抑郁自评量表、焦虑自评量表和症状自评量表再次进行评测,并与国内常模比较。结果:口服药物自杀存活患者Zang’s抑郁自评量表、焦虑自评量表总分和症状自评量表中躯体化、人际关系、抑郁、焦虑、恐惧等因子分值高于国内常模(P<0.05或P<0.01),经过健康教育与综合性心理干预后口服药物自杀存活患者的Zang’s抑郁自评量表、焦虑自评量表总分和症状自评量表中躯体化、人际关系、抑郁、焦虑、恐惧等因子分值显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:口服药物自杀未遂患者存在抑郁、焦虑、躯体化症状等负性情感;健康教育与综合性心理干预能缓解和改善抑郁、焦虑等负性情感。     

Sense of coherence and suicidality in suicide attempters: a prospective study

The usefulness of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale in the nursing setting is well-established, and an association between SOC and suicidality has been suggested. The aim was to test whether low SOC at index attempt is an independent predictor of suicidality at 2-month follow-up and of risk for repeat attempt. The study, which had a prospective cross-sectional design, included patients admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt. They were interviewed by means of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Participants (n=155) completed the SOC scale and the Comprehensive Psychopathological Self-rating Scale for Affective Syndromes. Suicidality was rated with the Suicide Assessment Scale. Instruments were employed again at follow-up. Non-fatal/fatal repetition within 3 years was determined by review of hospital records. Low SOC at baseline predicted high suicidality at follow-up. The association remained after adjustment for major depression and affective symptom burden. Repeat attempts were made by 54 persons. Low baseline SOC was associated with repeat attempt, but the association did not remain after adjustment for major depression and symptom burden. Low SOC ratings could be a marker of risk for high suicidality in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. The SOC scale could be incorporated in nursing assessments of suicide attempters.     

Involving patients who attempt suicide in suicide prevention: a focus groups study

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the individual experiences of patients who attempt suicide in order to better understand the reasons for and emotions behind a suicide attempt, thus also gaining insight, through the patients' own input, into the risk and protective factors which might influence possible repeat attempts and the attitude towards the assistance they receive. Two focus groups were conducted involving 17 participants, all hospitalized at the time of research for attempting suicide. The patients proved themselves competent, even expert in indicating reasons for, risk factors of and prevention strategies for suicide. The main findings suggest that the relational factor represents a key point both as a trigger for the suicide attempt and for promoting the communication of the intent or for preventing a repeat suicide attempt, as interpersonal relationships and an empathic environment were, in essence, what was perceived as therapeutic and protective and enabled the expression of thoughts and self-understanding. Accordingly psychotherapy, non-specific relationship 'monitoring' after discharge and tutored self-help groups have been suggested. Feasibility and implementing methods as well as the role of the nurse for such interventions were discussed.     

Migraine headaches and suicide attempt

(Headache 2012;52:723‐731) Background.— Previous cross‐sectional studies reported an increased risk of suicide attempt in persons with migraine headache, which was sustained when psychiatric comorbidity was statistically controlled. Objective.— To estimate the risk of suicide attempt in persons with migraine vs controls with no history of severe headache, using prospective data and validated diagnostic assessment. To examine the specificity of the migraine‐suicide attempt risk by comparing it to the risk associated with non‐migraine headache of comparable severity and disability. Methods.— A cohort of persons with migraine (n = 496), non‐migraine severe headaches (n = 151), and controls with no history of severe headache (n = 539) was randomly selected from the general community, assessed in 1997 and reassessed 2 years later. Results.— Persons with migraine had an increased risk of suicide attempt during the 2‐year follow‐up period, compared with controls. Odds ratio, adjusted for sex, psychiatric disorder, and previous history of suicide attempt at baseline was 4.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.93, 10.2). Persons with non‐migraine headache of comparable intensity and disability also had an increased risk of suicide attempt, compared to controls: odds ratio, adjusted for the same covariates, was 6.20 (95% CI 2.40, 16.0). The difference between the 2 estimates was not significant. In the entire sample, headache severity at baseline predicted suicide attempt: a difference of 1 standard deviation (SD) in pain score increased the risk of suicide attempt by 79%, adjusting for sex and psychiatric disorders. Conclusions.— The results suggest the possibility that pain severity might account in part for the increased risk of suicide attempt associated with migraine.     

Pitfalls in the Care of the Psychiatric Patient in the Emergency Department

Background

Care of the psychiatric patient in the Emergency Department (ED) is evolving. As with other disease states, there are a number of pitfalls that complicate the care of the psychiatric patient.

Objective

The purpose of this article is to update Emergency Physicians concerning the pitfalls in caring for the psychiatric patient, and possible solutions to deal with these pitfalls.

Discussion

The article will address the burden of the psychiatric patient, staff attitudes, medical clearance process, treatment of the agitated patient, suicidal patients, and admission decisions.

Conclusions

Alternative care resources, collaboration with Psychiatry, staff education, improvement in the medical clearance process, proper use of restraint and seclusion, and appropriate choice of medication for agitated patients can help avoid some of the top pitfalls in the care of the psychiatric patient in the ED.     

Suicidal Patients with a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order

Background

A suicidal person with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order presents an ethical dilemma to the emergency physician. Many believe that suicide is an irrational action, and therefore, all suicide attempts must be treated. Others believe a DNR order should be respected even in the setting of a suicide attempt.