Citation

Decou CR, Wang J, Rivara FP, Rowhani-Rahbar A. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2019; 49(4): 1119-1123.

Affiliation

School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/sltb.12494

PMID

30073687

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Trauma patients are at increased risk of suicidal behavior. The association between assault injury and subsequent suicidal behavior relative to unintentional injury remains under-studied. This study hypothesized that trauma patients with assault injuries would demonstrate greater risk of subsequent suicide attempt hospitalization compared to patients with unintentional injury.

METHOD: Trauma patients hospitalized in Washington State were identified via administrative records. Proportional hazard analysis was conducted to test differences in risk of suicide attempt hospitalization up to 5 years after the initial trauma hospitalization, and time to onset of first suicide attempt hospitalization by subgroup.

RESULTS: Approximately 2% (n = 1264) of trauma inpatients were subsequently hospitalized for attempted suicide, and 0.3% died by suicide (n = 177) during the follow-up period. Relative to patients with unintentional injuries, those with assault-related injuries (aHR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.86), and self-inflicted injuries (aHR = 8.22, 95% CI: 7.24 to 9.33) demonstrated greater risk of suicide attempt hospitalization after discharge.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate a greater risk of suicidal behavior among trauma patients with assault injuries relative to patients with unintentional injuries. This suggests the importance of intentional cause of injury as a risk factor for suicidal behavior to be considered in assessment of suicidality and discharge planning for trauma patients.

© 2018 The American Association of Suicidology.

Language: en