Citation

Hallgren KA, Ries RK, Atkins DC, Bumgardner K, Roy-Byrne PP. J. Am. Board Fam. Med. 2017; 30(2): 150-160.

Affiliation

From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Board of Family Medicine)

DOI

10.3122/jabfm.2017.02.160264

PMID

28379821

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among people who use illicit substances and/or non-prescribed medications.

METHODS: The present study prospectively assessed the incidence and predictors of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA) among 868 substance-using patients over 12 months after receiving primary care within seven public primary care clinics.

RESULTS: Participants reported a high incidence of SI (25.9%) and SA (7.1%) over the year following primary care visits. Suicidality was elevated in patients who were female; lacked a high school diploma; were unemployed; reported depression, anxiety, hallucinations, concentration difficulty, or violent behavior; used nicotine or stimulants; used the emergency department or mental health services in the past 90 days; reported current quality-of-life impairment in mobility or usual activities; or reported recent SI or lifetime SA at baseline. In multiple regression analyses, only past 30-day SI, any lifetime SA, past 90-day violent behavior, and current impairment due to anxiety or depression at baseline uniquely predicted SI or SA beyond other variables.

CONCLUSIONS: Results support the need for screening for suicidality among primary care patients who use illicit substances and identify key of these patients who are at particularly elevated risk for suicidality.

© Copyright 2017 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety; Depression; Follow-up Studies; Mental Health Services; Primary Health Care; Public Health; Quality of Life; Regression Analysis; Street Drugs; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide