Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Their Impacts on Psychosocial Functioning in People with Epilepsy

Background and Purpose

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in people with epilepsy (PWE) have not been studied systematically. We evaluated the severity, predictors, and psychosocial impact of OCS in PWE.

Methods

We recruited PWE who visited our epilepsy clinic and age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy controls. Both PWE and healthy controls completed the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), which measures OCS. PWE also completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31). We examined the severity of OCS in PWE relative to healthy controls. Predictors of OCS and the QOLIE-31 score were measured by regression analyses. A path analysis model was constructed to verify interrelations between the variables.

Results

The MOCI total score was significantly higher in PWE than in healthy controls (p=0.002). OCS were found in 20% of eligible patients. The strongest predictor of the MOCI total score was the BDI score (β=0.417, p<0.001), followed by EEG abnormality (β=0.194, p<0.001) and etiology (β=0.107, p=0.031). Epileptic syndrome, the side of the epileptic focus, and action mechanisms of antiepileptic drugs did not affect the MOCI total score. The strongest predictor of the QOLIE-31 overall score was the BDI score (β=-0.569, p<0.001), followed by seizure control (β=-0.163, p<0.001) and the MOCI total score (β=-0.148, p=0.001). The MOCI total score directly affected the QOLIE-31 overall score and also exerted indirect effects on the QOLIE-31 overall score through seizure control and the BDI score.

Conclusions

OCS are more likely to develop in PWE than in healthy people. The development of OCS appears to elicit psychosocial problems directly or indirectly by provoking depression or uncontrolled seizures.     

Suicidality and Its Risk Factors in Korean People with Epilepsy: A MEPSY Study

Background and Purpose

People with epilepsy (PWE) are more likely to experience suicidality, with suicidal ideation and attempts, than people without epilepsy (PWoE). The aims of the present study were to determine 1) the characteristics of suicidality in Korean PWE, 2) whether PWE with suicidality receive psychiatric intervention, and 3) the risk factors for suicidality.

Methods

Patients who consecutively visited epilepsy clinics at secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals were recruited (n=684), along with age- and sex-matched PWoE (n=229). The presence of current major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and/or suicidality was established using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus Version 5.0.0. The Korean version of the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (K-LAEP) was applied to detect adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Results

Suicidality was present in 208 (30.4%) of the 684 PWE. The rate of suicidality was 4.6 times higher among PWE than PWoE, and 108 (15.7%) PWE had suicidal ideation and had attempted suicide. Among those who had attempted suicide, 40.7% had made at least two attempts. The most common method of suicide attempt was drug overdose (34.9%). Unfortunately, of the 208 PWE with suicidality, 136 (65.4%) did not receive psychiatric intervention. The risk factors for suicidality were MDD [odds ratio (OR)=6.448, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.739-11.120, p<0.001], GAD (OR=3.561, 95% CI=1.966-6.452, p<0.001), item scores of 3 or 4 on the K-LAEP (OR=2.688, 95% CI=1.647-4.387, p<0.001), and a history of febrile convulsion (OR= 2.188, 95% CI=1.318-3.632, p=0.002).

Conclusions

Suicidality is more prevalent in PWE than in PWoE. Clinicians should monitor psychiatric disorders and the adverse effects of AEDs in PWE in an attempt to reduce the incidence of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts in this patient population.     

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Heart-Rate Variability among North Korean Defectors

Objective

This study evaluated the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among North Korean defectors and their level of suicidal ideation and the correlation between these and heart-rate variability (HRV) to explore the possibility of using HRV as an objective neurobiological index of signs of autonomic nervous system disorder.

Methods

A total of 32 North Korean defectors (nine men, 23 women) were selected as subjects, and their HRV was measured after they completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-PTSD (MMPI-PTSD) scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

1) Low-frequency (LF)/high-frequency (HF) ratios in the HRV index and MMPI-PTSD scores were correlated (r=0.419, p<0.05), as were BDI item 9 (suicidal ideation) and MMPI-PTSD scores (r=0.600, p<0.01). 2) A regression analysis of LF/HF ratios and MMPI-PTSD scores revealed an R-value of 13.8% (Adj. R²=0.138, F=4.695, p=0.041), and a regression analysis of BDI item 9 and MMPI-PTSD scores showed an R-value of 32.8% (Adj. R²=0.328, F=11.234, p=0.003). In other words, the LF/HF ratio (β=0.419) and BDI item 9 (β=0.600) appear to be risk factors in predicting MMPI-PTSD scores.

Conclusion

The LF/HF ratio, a standard index of autonomic nervous system activity, can be used as an objective neurobiological index to analyze PTSD among North Korean defectors presenting with various mental and physical symptoms, and the approximate level of suicide -ideation can act as a predicting factor for PTSD.     

Moral objections to suicide and suicidal ideation among mood disordered Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics

Understanding the beliefs that protect individuals against suicide can help to enhance suicide prevention strategies. One measure of suicide non-acceptability is the moral objections to suicide (MOS) sub-scale of the reasons for living inventory (RFLI). This study examined the MOS and suicidal ideation of White, Black, and Hispanic individuals with mood disorders. We expected minority individuals to have stronger objections to suicide.

Method

Eight hundred and four, White (588), Black (122) and Hispanic (94) participants with DSM-IV diagnoses of MDD or bipolar disorder were administered the scale for suicide ideation, the reasons for living inventory and several measures of clinical distress.

Results

Higher suicidal ideation was modestly correlated with lower MOS scores overall (r = 0.15, p = 0.001). Among Blacks however the relationship was inverted: despite having higher suicidal ideation than Whites or Hispanics, Blacks reported the least accepting attitudes toward suicide.

Conclusion

These results suggest that attitudes regarding the acceptability of suicide may be independent of suicidal ideation.     

Amygdala functional connectivity in female patients with major depressive disorder with and without suicidal ideation

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a known major risk factor for suicide and is one of the most common mental disorders. Meanwhile, gender differences in suicidal behavior have long been recognized including the finding that women have higher rates of suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behavior than men. The mechanism underlying suicide ideation in female patients with MDD remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to examine possible suicidal behavior-related neural circuitry in female MDD.

Methods

In this study, 15 female participants with the first-episode MDD with suicidal ideation and 24 participants with the first-episode MDD without suicidal ideation as well as 39 female participants in a healthy control (HC) group, ranging in age from 18 to 50 years, underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The whole-brain amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) was compared among these three groups.

Results

Compared with female participants with the first-episode MDD without suicidal ideation and those in the HC group, female participants with the first-episode MDD with suicidal ideation showed a significant difference in rsFC between the amygdala and precuneus/cuneus (p?<?0.05, corrected). No significant difference in amygdala–precuneus/cuneus rsFC was observed between female patients with the first-episode MDD without suicidal ideation and the HC group (p?<?0.05, corrected).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that suicidal ideation in female patients with the first-episode MDD may be related to an abnormality in amygdala neural circuitry. The abnormality in amygdala–precuneus/cuneus functional connectivity might present the trait feature for suicide in women with the first-episode MDD. The precuneus/cuneus may be an important region related to suicide and require future study.

     

A Study on Correlation between Anxiety Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation

Objective

In South Korea, the number of deaths from suicide has increased in the last two decades, and suicide has become both a social and political problem. In this study, after controlling the variables influencing suicidal ideation, it was expected that it would be determined if anxiety symptoms are independently related to suicidal ideation.

Methods

Data were obtained from 327 psychiatric outpatients accomplished a self-reported questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables as well as self-rating scales for measuring the severity of one''s anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Logistic-regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between anxiety symptoms and significant suicidal ideation, adjusting for covariates.

Results

The patients with significant suicidal ideation were shown to be less educated, unemployed, never married, divorced, or separated by death, or living alone, and were shown to have a lower income, a drinking habit, a higher number of past suicide attempts, and more family members who committed suicide, than the patients without significant suicidal ideation. After adjusting the covariates influencing significant suicidal ideation, anxiety symptoms were associated with significant suicidal ideation. However, after adjusting for depressive symptoms, only the trait anxiety was associated with significant suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that anxiety symptoms are an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation. Clinicians may thus use anxiety symptoms for the screening examination when evaluating suicidal ideation and risk, and will have to actively evaluate and treat the anxiety symptoms of patients with suicidal tendencies.     

The risk of adolescent suicide across patterns of drug use: a nationally representative study of high school students in the United States from 1999 to 2009

Objective

Substance use is associated with suicidal ideation, planning and attempts among adolescents, but it is unclear how this association varies across different types and number of substances. This study examined the association between patterns of substance use and suicidality among a nationally representative sample of high school students in the United States during the last decade.

Method

Data from the 2001 to 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey including 73,183 high school students were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses examined the association between lifetime use of ten common substances of abuse (alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamines, steroids, and tobacco) and four measures of suicidality over the last year (suicidal ideation, suicide plan, suicide attempt, and severe suicide attempt requiring medical attention), controlling for potential confounders (socio-demographic variables, interpersonal violence, sexual intercourse, and symptoms of depression and eating disorder).

Results

Among the ten substances, univariate analysis demonstrates that adolescents reporting a history of heroin use have the strongest association with suicidal ideation, suicide plan, suicide attempts and severe suicide attempts in the last year (odds ratio = 5.0, 5.9, 12.0, and 23.6 compared to non-users), followed by users of methamphetamines (OR = 4.3–13.1) and steroids (OR = 3.7–11.8). Cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens and inhalants had a moderate association with suicidality (OR = 3.1–10.8). Users of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco also had an increased odds ratio of suicidality (OR = 1.9–5.2). The association between each of ten substances and the four measures of suicidality remained significant with multivariate analysis controlling for multiple confounders (p < 0.05), except for the association between alcohol use and severe suicide attempts. The seven illicit substances had a stronger association with severe suicide attempts as compared to all other confounding risk factors except depression. The number of substances used had a graded relationship to suicidality.

Conclusions

Substance abuse is a strong risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among American high school students, with the strength of this relationship dramatically increasing with particular illicit drugs and a higher number of substances. The findings reinforce the importance of routine screening for substance abuse in the assessment of adolescent suicide risk.     

Suicidal ideation and aggressiveness in school-aged youths

This study set out to explore the frequency and correlates of suicidal ideation in a community sample of school-aged adolescents living in a northeastern area of Italy. The study involved a mixed male–female sample of 1000 adolescents, corresponding to 10% of the young population aged 15–19 in the district. We investigated psychological distress through the revised Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), from which we also derived our indicators on suicidality (items concerning hopelessness and suicidal ideation). Propensity to aggression was measured with an Italian version of the Aggression Questionnaire. Females scored significantly higher than males on all SCL-90-R subscales, with the exception of the hostility subscale. In our sample, 30.8% of females and 25.3% of males reported having thought about suicide; one adolescent out of 20 reported suicidal ideation of high intensity (5% out of the total sample in both genders). Males scored significantly higher than females on the Aggression Questionnaire. Both males and females who reported suicidal feelings had significantly higher scores on the Aggression Questionnaire than did those who denied suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is a rather widespread occurrence among adolescents and correlates with other indicators of psychological distress. Psychological distress in adolescence might also be expressed through turbulent behaviors and conduct disorders. Identification of the mental disorders underlying a higher propensity to aggression might help to prevent other negative outcomes such as suicide.     

Psychosocial Factors Contributing to Suicidal Ideation in Hospitalized Schizophrenia Patients in Korea

Objective

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate psychosocial risk factors associated with suicidality in patients with schizophrenia in Korea.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 84 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Suicidal thoughts and a clear desire to be dead within 2 weeks were defined as a current suicidal ideation. Socio-demographic and clinical variables, including family history of completed suicides and psychiatric illnesses, were collected, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were administered to identify factors associated with a current suicidal ideation.

Results

Forty-three subjects (51.2%) reported clear suicidal ideation. Multivariate analysis revealed that later age of illness onset, previous suicide attempt, family history of completed suicide, depression, or substance abuse, fewer than one family visitation to the hospital per month, and score on the CDSS were independently related to current suicidal ideation in these subjects. Age, education level, and scores on the SUMD were not significantly associated with current suicidal ideation in the multivariate analysis, but were associated with suicidal ideation in a univariate analysis on the level of p<0.1.

Conclusion

The above clinical factors should be evaluated to predict and prevent suicidal risk in patients with schizophrenia. In particular, modifiable factors such as depression should be managed to reduce suicidality of hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.     

Sleep problems and suicidality in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Objective

Links between sleep problems and suicidality have been frequently described in clinical samples; however, this issue has not been well-studied in the general population. Using data from a nationally representative survey, we examined the association between self-reported sleep difficulties and suicidality in the United States.

Methods

The WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess sleep problems and suicidality in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Relationships between three measures of sleep (difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, early morning awaking), and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were assessed in logistic regression analyses, while controlling for demographic characteristics, 12-month diagnoses of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders, and chronic health conditions.

Results

In multivariate models, the presence of any of these sleep problems was significantly related to each measure of suicidality, including suicidal ideation (OR = 2.1), planning (OR = 2.6), and suicide attempt (OR = 2.5). Early morning awakening was associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 2.0), suicide planning (OR = 2.1), and suicide attempt (OR = 2.7). Difficulty initiating sleep was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation and planning (ORs: 1.9 for ideation; 2.2 for planning), while difficulty maintaining sleep during the night was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (ORs: 2.0 for ideation; 3.0 for attempt).

Conclusions

Among community residents, chronic sleep problems are consistently associated with greater risk for suicidality. Efforts to develop comprehensive models of suicidality should consider sleep problems as potentially independent indicators of risk.     

抑郁障碍患者下丘脑—垂体—肾上腺轴的功能与自杀行为的关系(英文)

背景目前对抑郁障碍患者自杀行为的神经-内分泌研究仍较少,且结果多不一致。目的探讨国内抑郁障碍患者下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal,HPA)轴释放功能与自杀行为的关系。方法比较14例2个月内有过自杀行为的抑郁障碍患者(抑郁研究组)和15例不伴自杀行为的抑郁障碍患者(抑郁对照组)的HPA轴功能。以地塞米松抑制试验(dexamethasone suppression test,DST)、一天中血浆皮质醇浓度的昼夜变化(在帕罗西汀治疗前及治疗6周后评估)以及治疗前和治疗后的24小时尿17-羟皮质醇和24小时尿游离皮质酮,评估HPA轴释放功能。同时以汉密顿抑郁量表(Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,HAMD)评定抑郁严重程度。另外测定15名无抑郁障碍的健康体检者的白天皮质醇浓度。结果抑郁研究组与抑郁对照组之间24h尿皮质醇浓度的差异无统计学意义,尿皮质醇浓度差异也无统计学意义。治疗前两组血浆皮质醇的午夜分泌低谷均不明显,而治疗后的分泌低谷变得明显。抑郁研究组DST阳性率显著高于对照组(57%对20%,χ2=4.24,p=0.039)。无论治疗前后,抑郁研究组患者血浆皮质醇水平与HAMD量表总分及绝望感和自杀观念的因子分呈显著正相关,但是抑郁对照组中这些相关系数无统计学意义。抑郁研究组早晨8点的血浆皮质醇浓度在治疗前后均显著高于健康对照组,而抑郁对照组的这一浓度并不比健康对照组高。结论本研究结果与先前关于抑郁症与HPA轴功能关系的研究结果大致相同。尽管如此,有自杀行为与无自杀行为的抑郁症患者之间还是存在某些差异。这些差异提示可能存在特定的自杀相关的HPA轴功能紊乱。有必要在大样本研究中进一步验证这些差异,以期能够在只报告有过自杀观念的人群中鉴别出实际有过自杀行为的个体。     

Depression,aggression, and suicidal ideation in first graders: a school-based cross-sectional study

Objective

This study explored the clinical characteristics and risk factors of suicidal ideation in a sample of first graders from South Korea. Children's depression and aggression and maternal depression were examined as possible risk factors.

Methods

This study is a school-based, cross-sectional study of 5 elementary schools in Gunpo City, South Korea. Participants were 707 first graders (mean age, 6.54 years) and their mothers. We assessed children's depressive and aggressive symptoms using the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) and maternal depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Two items from BASC-2 and 1 item from BDI identified children's and maternal suicidal ideation.

Results

Twenty-seven (3.8%) children evidenced suicidal ideation. Children with suicidal ideation had higher mean scores of depression domain (10.11 ± 5.34 vs 4.57 ± 3.44, P < .0001) and aggression domain (7.78 ± 3.84 vs 3.80 ± 2.85, P < .0001) on BASC-2 and maternal depression (9.78 ± 6.45 vs 7.28 ± 5.38, P = .02) on BDI. In regression analysis, children's depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.32; P = .001) and aggression (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.41; P = .002) contributed significantly to children's suicidal ideation, whereas maternal depression was not significantly related to children's suicidal ideation (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.92-1.06; P = .75).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that even first graders had a considerable prevalence of suicidal ideation and that depression and aggression were associated with suicidal ideation in young children.     

Hopelessness and suicidal risk in bipolar disorder. A study in clinically nonsyndromal patients

Objective

Attempted suicide and death due to suicide are not uncommon among patients with bipolar disorder. Although some risk factors for suicidality in bipolar patients have been identified, little is known about hopelessness and other possible trait or diathesis-related factors. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate variables associated with suicidal risk in clinically nonsyndromal bipolar patients.

Methods

A sample of 102 outpatients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria during nonsyndromal stage were evaluated. On the basis of suicidal history, patients were divided into suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and nonsuicidal groups. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables were assessed.

Results

As compared with the nonsuicidal group, female sex, combined psychopharmacologic treatment, and hopelessness were independently associated with suicide attempt. Hopelessness and insight into having a mental disorder were independently associated with history of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Patients with bipolar disorder and suicidal history are characterized by the presence of hopelessness, which probably confers greater vulnerability for suicidal behavior in the presence of stress factors. This identification of the risk profile for suicidal behavior in nonsyndromal bipolar patients adds complementary information to risk factors established for suicidality during acute phases of the disease, allows for differentiated preventive and treatment approaches of patients at risk, and suggests psychotherapy as an advisable intervention in this group of patients.     

Sleep and libido in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between a low libido and objective sleep parameters as well as mood disturbances in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA).MethodsWe enrolled 436 untreated patients who were newly diagnosed with OSA (all male, mean age 42.8 years). Patients completed the Symptom checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Patients were divided into low-libido and normal-libido groups according to their response to the statement “Loss of sexual interest or pleasure” on the SCL-90-R.ResultsApproximately 23% of patients reported a low libido. Patients with a low libido were older (47.5 ± 9.0 vs. 41.4 ± 11.1 years; p < 0.001), had more nocturia (33.3% vs. 16.6%; p < 0.001), higher BDI (9.0 (5.0–14.0) vs. 5.0 (2.0–9.0); p < 0.001) and BAI score (11.0 (6.3–16.8) vs. 5.0 (2.0–10.0); p < 0.001). These patients had a lower non-REM sleep stage 3 (N3) % (0.1 (0–4.0) vs. 2.3 (0.1–7.9); p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that older age and higher BDI score were independent factors associated with a low libido.ConclusionsMen with untreated OSA suffered from a low libido. Older age and depressed mood were the most important factors of low libido in middle-aged men with OSA.     

Relationship of optimism and suicidal ideation in three groups of patients at varying levels of suicide risk

Optimism has been associated with reduced suicidal ideation, but there have been few studies in patients at high suicide risk. We analyzed data from three study populations (total N = 319) with elevated risk of suicide: (1) patients with a recent acute cardiovascular event, (2) patients hospitalized for heart disease who had depression or an anxiety disorder, and (3) patients psychiatrically hospitalized for suicidal ideation or following a suicide attempt. For each study we analyzed the association between optimism (measured by the Life–Orientation Test-Revised) and suicidal ideation, and then completed an exploratory random effects meta-analysis of the findings to synthesize this data. The meta-analysis of the three studies showed that higher levels of self-reported optimism were associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal ideation (odds ratio [OR] = .89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .85−.95, z = 3.94, p < .001), independent of age, gender, and depressive symptoms. This association held when using the subscales of the Life Orientation Test-Revised scale that measured higher optimism (OR = .84, 95% CI = .76−.92, z = 3.57, p < .001) and lower pessimism (OR = .83, 95% CI = .75−.92], z = 3.61, p < .001). These results also held when suicidal ideation was analyzed as an ordinal variable. Our findings suggest that optimism may be associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation, above and beyond the effects of depressive symptoms, for a wide range of patients with clinical conditions that place them at elevated risk for suicide.     

Suicidal behavior and related traits among inpatient adolescents with first-episode schizophrenia

Purpose

Suicide is a major cause of death in adolescents with first-episode schizophrenia (FES). The aim of this pilot study was to compare suicide-related traits between subjects with FES and those with other psychopathologies to evaluate risk factors for suicidal behavior.

Method

Twenty-five inpatient adolescents with FES and a control group of 28 psychiatric inpatients matched for sex and age were assessed for depression, anger, criminal behavior, aggression, and suicidal ideation, risk, and potential.

Results

The adolescents with FES had significantly lower depression (P = .003), anger (P = .025), and criminal behavior (P = .022) than did the controls. However, although suicide ideation was greater in the subjects with FES (P = .003), suicide risk was significantly lower than that in controls (P = .004).

Conclusion

Decreased levels of both depression and anger as part of affective constriction in the group with schizophrenia could explain why the increased suicide ideation did not lead to a higher suicide risk in these inpatients. This study highlights the importance of distinguishing between suicidal ideation and actual suicide risk. We demonstrated that thoughts of suicide do not necessarily translate into an actual risk of suicidal behavior in adolescents with schizophrenia.     

Factors associated with suicidal ideation: Role of emotional and instrumental support

Objectives

Suicidal ideation is an important phase in the suicidal process, preceding suicide attempts and completed suicide. Weak social ties and low support from friends or relatives have been significantly associated with suicidal ideation. This study investigated the relationship between social support and suicidal ideation among young and middle-aged adults in Korea.

Methods

The Seoul Citizens Health and Social Indicators Survey conducted face-to-face interviews with 10,922 self-reporting adults. Questions were asked to assess suicidal ideation, and several questions focused on social support, social networks, health behaviors, and health status.

Results

The strongest association in middle-aged adults was that between suicidal ideation and lack of social support. Poor emotional support significantly influenced suicidal ideation in middle-aged men, whereas lack of instrumental support significantly affected suicidal thoughts in middle-aged women, after controlling for sociodemographic factors, health behaviors, and health status. High alcohol use, functional limitations, and stress were related to suicidal thoughts in young adults, whereas depressive feelings had the strongest association with suicidal ideation in middle-aged women.

Conclusions

Social support is a crucial independent correlate of suicidal ideation, especially in middle-aged adults in an urban community setting. This study shows that it is essential to provide gender-specific social support to prevent suicide.     

Social inequalities in depression and suicidal ideation among older primary care patients

Purpose

Depression and suicide are major public health concerns, and are often unrecognized among the elderly. This study investigated social inequalities in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older adults.

Methods

Data come from 1,226 participants in PROSPECT (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly: Collaborative Trial), a large primary care-based intervention trial for late-life depression. Linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation over the 2-year follow-up period.

Results

Mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores were significantly higher among participants in financial strain [regression coefficient (b) = 1.78, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.67–2.89] and with annual incomes below $20,000 (b = 1.67, CI = 0.34–3.00). Financial strain was also associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation (odds ratio = 2.35, CI = 1.38–3.98).

Conclusions

There exist marked social inequalities in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older adults attending primary care practices, the setting in which depression is most commonly treated. Our results justify continued efforts to understand the mechanisms generating such inequalities and to recognize and provide effective treatments for depression among high-risk populations.     

Moderators and mediators among panic, agoraphobia symptoms, and suicidal ideation in patients with panic disorder

Objectives

The most important change of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) is the use of dimensional approach to assess the severity of symptoms across different diagnosis. There are 2 purposes in this study: the first purpose was to identify the proportion of outpatients with panic disorder who have suicidal ideation. The second aim was to examine the relationships among panic, agoraphobic symptoms, and suicidal ideation in patients with panic disorder, adjusting by age, social support, and alcohol use.

Methods

Sixty patients with panic disorder were recruited from outpatient psychiatric clinics in southern Taiwan. Suicidal ideation in the preceding 2 weeks was measured. The Panic and Agoraphobic Symptoms Checklist, Social Support Scale, Questionnaire for Adverse Effects of Medication for Panic Disorder, and Social Status Rating Scale were used to understand the severity of panic and agoraphobia, social support, drug adverse effects, and social status. Significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in a forward regression model. Then, we used structural equation modeling to fit the model.

Results

We found that 31.7% of outpatients with panic disorder had had suicidal ideation in the preceding 2 weeks. Multiple regression analysis showed that younger age, current alcohol use, more severe panic symptoms, and less social support were associated with suicidal ideation. In addition, the structural equation model illustrated the recursive model from panic to agoraphobia and suicidal ideation. Agoraphobia had no association with suicidal ideation. Panic symptom was a mediator to suicidal ideation but not agoraphobic symptoms.

Conclusions

A high proportion of patients with panic disorder had suicidal ideation. We found that panic symptoms, social support, age, and alcohol use affected suicide and could be identified. The 3-level model from panic to agoraphobia revealed that panic was a predictor of agoraphobia and agoraphobia was not a predictor of panic. This verified the evolution of the diagnostic view of the DSM. Panic symptom was a mediator to suicidal ideation. With the dimensional model in DSM-V, panic symptoms can be used as a marker for greater morbidity and severity.     

Distinctive Clinical Correlates of Psychotic Major Depression: The CRESCEND Study

Objective

The purpose of this investigation was to identify distinctive clinical correlates of psychotic major depression (PMD) as compared with non-psychotic major depression (NPMD) in a large cohort of Korean patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

We recruited 966 MDD patients of age over 18 years from the Clinical Research Center for Depression of South Korea (CRESCEND) study. Diagnoses of PMD (n=24) and NPMD (n=942) were made with the DSM-IV definitions and confirmed with SCID. Psychometric scales were used to assess overall psychiatric symptoms (BPRS), depression (HAMD), anxiety (HAMA), global severity (CGI-S), suicidal ideation (SSI-Beck), functioning (SOFAS), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). Using independent t-tests and χ² tests, we compared clinical characteristics of patients with PMD and NPMD. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to identify factors independently associated with increased likelihood of PMD.

Results

PMD subjects were characterized by a higher rate of inpatient enrollment, and higher scores on many items on BPRS (somatic concern, anxiety, emotional withdrawal, guilt feelings, tension, depression, suspiciousness, hallucination, motor retardation, blunted affect and excitement) global severity (CGI-s), and suicidal ideation (SSI-Beck). The explanatory factor model revealed that high levels of tension, excitement, and suicidal ideation were associated with increased likelihood of PMD.

Conclusion

Our findings partly support the view that PMD has its own distinctive clinical manifestation and course, and may be considered a diagnostic entity separate from NPMD.