@article{ref1,
title="Comorbidity profiles in older patients last seen by mental health prior to suicide attempt",
journal="Aging and mental health",
year="2023",
author="Morin, Ruth T. and Li, Yixia and Karel, Michele J. and Consolino, Tara and Hwong, Alison and Clark, Ryan and Byers, Amy L.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Suicide in late life is a public health concern. Determining profiles of psychiatric/medical comorbidity in those who attempt while engaged in mental health services may assist with prevention. We identified comorbidity profiles and their association with utilization, means, and fatality in a national sample who attempted suicide. <br><br>METHODS: Using latent class analysis, all patients aged ≥ 65 from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare services (2012-2018) last seen in mental health prior to suicide attempt were included. Diagnoses and attempt data were obtained from VA and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, VA Suicide Prevention Applications Network, and VA National Mortality Data Repository. <br><br>RESULTS: 2,269 patients were clustered into three profiles, all with high probability of depression. Profiles included minimal comorbidity (50.4%), high medical comorbidity (28.6%), and high (psychiatric/medical) comorbidity (21.0%). Over half (61.7%) attempted suicide within one week of their visit. The class with highest comorbidity had lowest proportion of fatal attempts, while minimal comorbidity class had highest proportion. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Older patients last seen in mental health prior to suicide attempt were characterized by depression and varying additional comorbidity and attempt-related factors. <br><br>FINDINGS have implications for risk assessment and intervention in mental health settings, beyond depression.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1360-7863",
doi="10.1080/13607863.2023.2228228",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2228228"
}