Citation

Foldes-Busque G, Fleet R, Poitras J, Chauny JM, Diodati JG, Marchand A. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2012; 34(2): 178-184.

Affiliation

Research Centre of the University Affiliated Hospital of Lévis, 143 Wolfe, Lévis, Québec, Canada G6V 4W4; Department of Readaptation, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Local 4617 Québec, Canada G1V 0A6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.12.005

PMID

22285369

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to document the problem of suicidality in emergency department (ED) patients with unexplained chest pain and to assess the strength and independence of the relationship between panic and suicidal ideation (SI) in this population. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 572 ED patients with unexplained chest pain. SI, history of suicide attempts, history of SI and the presence of thoughts about how to commit suicide were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the relationship between current SI and panic. RESULTS: Approximately 15% [95% confidence interval (CI), 12%-18%] of patients reported current SI, and 33% (95% CI, 29%-37%) reported history of SI. Nearly 19% (95% CI, 16%-22%) of patients had thought about a method to commit suicide, and 33% (95% CI, 29%-37%) had a history of a suicide attempt. Panic attacks were diagnosed in 42% (95% CI, 38%-46%) of patients, and 45% (95% CI, 39%-51%) of those had panic disorder. Panic increased the crude likelihood of current SI [odds ratio (OR)=2.53, 1.4-4.5]. This increase in SI risk remained significant after controlling for confounding factors (OR=1.70, 95% CI, 1.0-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Suicidality and SI were common and often severe in our sample of ED patients with unexplained chest pain.

Language: en