Journal List > J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc > v.52(4) > 1017632

Choi, Ko, Kim, and Kim: Risk Factors of Suicide Attempt in Male Patients with Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of suicide attempt in patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods

A total of 68 patients admitted to the hospital for alcohol dependence were divided into two groups according to history of suicide attempt. In this study, sociodemographic variables, characteristics of alcohol drinking, and clinical scales were compared between the two groups.

Results

Regarding sociodemographic and clinical features, the alcoholic group with history of suicide attempt included more patients with no spouse, using medical aid in social security, and history of depressive disorder. Regarding characteristics of alcohol drinking, ages of first alcohol problems and first admission for alcohol problems were significantly younger in the attempter group. Patients in the attempter group had been drinking more and had higher frequency of delirium tremens and psychiatric admission. Regarding clinical scales, significantly higher scores for suicide ideation, depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness were observed in the attempter group. Among the scores for Temperament and character inventory, the score for persistence was significantly lower in the attempter group. After controlling for other compounding factors, depressive disorder [p=0.006, odds ratio (OR)=32.2] and suicide ideation (p=0.029, OR=1.2) were significant factors showing correlation with suicide attempt.

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that assessment and management of the depressive disorder and suicide ideation are necessary for suicide prevention in patients with alcohol dependence.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Comparison of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between suicide attempters and suicide non-attempters
jkna-52-205-i001

*: p<0.05

Table 2
Comparison of alcohol and tobacco use history between suicide attempters and suicide non-attempters
jkna-52-205-i002

*: p<0.05

Table 3
Comparison of clinical measures between suicide attempters and suicide non-attempters
jkna-52-205-i003

*: p<0.05. SSI : Scale for Suicide Ideation, BDI : Beck Depression Inventory, BAI : Beck Anxiety Inventory, BIS : Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, MOAS : Modified Overt Aggression Scale, TCI : Temperament and Character Inventory, NS : Novelty seeking, HA : Harm avoidance, RD : Reward dependence, PS : Persistence, SD : Self-directedness, C : Cooperativeness, ST : Self-transcendence

Table 4
Logistic regression results of demographics, clinical characteristics, alcohol use history, and clinical measures
jkna-52-205-i004

*: p<0.05. SSI : Scale for Suicide Ideation, BDI : Beck Depression Inventory, BAI : Beck Anxiety Inventory, BIS : Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, MOAS : Modified Overt Aggression Scale, OR: Odds ratio, CI : Confidence interval

Notes

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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