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Suicidality and hospitalization as cause and outcome of pediatric psychiatric emergency room visits

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of suicidality in youth presenting to a pediatric psychiatric emergency room service (PPERS). To this end, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of youth aged <18 years consecutively assessed by a PPERS 01.01.2002–12.31.2002, using a 12-page semi-structured institutional evaluation form and the Columbia Classification Algorithm for Suicide Assessment. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of suicidal thoughts and attempts/preparation and their relationship to outpatient/inpatient disposition. Of 1,062 youth, 265 (25.0 %) presented with suicidal ideation (16.2 %) or attempt/preparation (8.8 %). Suicidal ideation was associated with female sex, depression, adjustment disorder, absent referral by family/friend/self, school referral, precipitant of peer conflict, and no antipsychotic treatment (p < 0.0001). Suicidal attempt/preparation was associated with female sex, depression, lower GAF score, past suicide attempt, precipitant of peer conflict, and no stimulant treatment (p < 0.0001). Compared to suicidal attempt/preparation, suicidal ideation was associated with school referral, and higher GAF score (p < 0.0001). Of the 265 patients with suicidality, 58.5 % were discharged home (ideation = 72.1 % vs. attempt/preparation = 33.7 %, p < 0.0001). In patients with suicidal ideation, outpatient disposition was associated with higher GAF score, school referral, and adjustment disorder (p < 0.0001). In patients with suicidal attempt/preparation, outpatient disposition was associated with higher GAF score, lower acuity rating, and school referral (p < 0.0001). Suicidality is common among PPERS evaluations. Higher GAF score and school referral distinguished suicidal ideation from suicidal attempt/preparation and was associated with outpatient disposition in both presentations. Increased education of referral sources and establishment of different non-PPERS evaluation systems may improve identification of non-emergent suicidal presentations and encourage more appropriate outpatient referrals.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Kane has been a consultant for Alkermes, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Forest, Genentech, H. Lundbeck. Intracellular Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Johnson and Johnson, Otsuka, Reviva and Roche. Dr. Kane has been on the Speaker’s Bureau for Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Janssen, Genentech and Otsuka. Dr. Kane is a Shareholder in MedAvante, Inc. Dr. Correll has been a consultant and/or advisor to or has received honoraria from: Actelion, Alexza; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cephalon, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Gerson Lehrman Group, IntraCellular Therapies, Janssen/J&J, Lundbeck, Medavante, Medscape, Merck, Otsuka, Pfizer, ProPhase, Roche, Sunovion, Takeda, Teva, and Vanda. He has received grant support from BMS, Janssen/J&J, Novo Nordisk A/S and Otsuka. Drs. Eugene Grudnikoff, Erin Callahan Soto; Anne Frederickson; Michael L. Birnbaum; Ema Saito, and Robert Dicker have nothing to disclose.

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Correspondence to Christoph U. Correll.

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Grudnikoff, E., Soto, E.C., Frederickson, A. et al. Suicidality and hospitalization as cause and outcome of pediatric psychiatric emergency room visits. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 24, 797–814 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0624-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0624-x

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