Suicide attempts in major affective disorders

Object: The aim of this study was to investigate variables associated with suicide attempts among patients suffering from major affective disorders. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 106 patients diagnosed with major affective disorders. 53 patients with at least one suicide attempt were matched on a group basis for age, sex and diagnosis with 53 patients who had never attempted suicide. Results: In the bivariate comparisons, suicidal patients were more likely to have been treated with antipsychotic and anxiolytic drugs (OR: 4.50; 95%CI: 1.55/13.06), and less likely to be married (OR: .16; 95%CI: .07/36), have comorbid physical illnesses (OR: .29; 95%CI: .12/.67) and have been treated with antidepressants (OR: .14; 95%CI: .04/.47). Conclusions: Our results support previously reported findings in the literature that marital status, and treatment regimen may influence suicide risk. Limitations: The study findings may not generalize to other samples, settings, and treatment programs. © 2007 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.