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Predictors of suicidality in depressive spectrum disorders in the general population: results of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study

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Abstract

Objective

The aim was to assess determinants of suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) in a general population cohort with depressive spectrum disorders, and to compare determinants for suicidal ideation and determinants for suicide attempts in this cohort.

Method

The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study is a epidemiologic survey in the adult population (N = 7,076), using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

Results

In a cohort of 586 persons with a depressive spectrum disorder, 97 (16.6%) reported suicidal ideation and 19 (3.2%) suicide attempts in a period of 2 years. In a multivariate model, male gender (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30–0.99, p = 0.05), longer (>13 months) duration of depression (OR 2.86, 95%CI 1.21–6.73, p = 0.02; OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.24–5.91, p = 0.01), anhedonia (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.01–5.91, p = 0.05), feeling worthless (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.05–3.74, p = 0.03), comorbid anxiety (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.38–4.40, p < 0.01), previous suicidal ideation (OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.96–6.24, p < 0.001) and use of professional care (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.01–3.79, p = 0.05) were significantly related to suicidality. Determinants of suicidal ideation differed from determinants of suicide attempts.

Limitations

Suicidality (and not actual suicides) was assessed with only two questions from the CIDI and some determinants for suicidality were assessed in the same time period as suicidality.

Conclusions

Features of depression were the most important determinants of suicidality in a depressive spectrum cohort. Determinants for suicidal ideation differed from suicide attempts. These findings could be helpful in identifying those who need more intense treatment strategies in order to prevent suicidality and eventually suicide.

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Acknowledgments

NEMESIS is supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Medical Sciences Department of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. De Gelderse Roos, Mental Health Care, Ede, The Netherlands

    Jan Spijker

  2. Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbosinstitute), PO Box 725, 3500 AS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Jan Spijker, Ron de Graaf & Margreet ten Have

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Willem A. Nolen

  4. Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Anne Speckens

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  1. Jan Spijker
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  2. Ron de Graaf
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  3. Margreet ten Have
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  4. Willem A. Nolen
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  5. Anne Speckens
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Correspondence to Jan Spijker.

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Spijker, J., de Graaf, R., ten Have, M. et al. Predictors of suicidality in depressive spectrum disorders in the general population: results of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 45, 513–521 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0093-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0093-6

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