Citation

Sokero P, Melartin T, Rytsälä HJ, Leskelä U, Lestelä-Mielonen P, Isometsä E. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2008; 196(3): 223-229.

Affiliation

Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/NMD.0b013e31816634f5

PMID

18340258

Abstract

We examined differences in treatments received, and attitudes and adherence to them between suicidal and nonsuicidal patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Psychiatric MDD patients with no suicidal behavior (N = 92), suicidal ideation (N = 92), or attempts (N = 34) were compared during 6 months of follow-up in the Vantaa Depression Study (VDS). Patients with suicidal behavior received antidepressants or adequate antidepressant treatment significantly more often, had more frequent appointments with psychiatrists, more psychotherapeutic support, and more favorable attitudes toward antidepressant treatment than nonsuicidal patients. However, after adjusting for the confounding severity of depression, the significance of these differences was lost. Adherence to treatment was similar in the patient groups. Overall, among psychiatric patients with MDD, those known to be suicidal have higher suicide risk and should receive more intensive treatment. However, suicidal behavior per se does not seem to markedly influence treatments provided nor should it be associated with negative attitudes or poor adherence to treatments.

Language: en