Citation

Pandey S, Bolstad I, Lien L, Walby FA, Myhre M, Bramness JG. BJPsych Open 2022; 8(4): e135.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bjo.2022.545

PMID

35848151

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are at high risk for suicide attempts. Mental health problems along with AUD-related factors may contribute to this increased risk. Studies have shown sex differences in rates and correlates of suicide attempts. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to examine mental-health-related and AUD-related factors associated with suicide attempt separately in female and male AUD patients.

METHOD: We collected information about lifetime suicide attempt and mental-health- and AUD-related factors for AUD in-patients (n = 114; 32 females) receiving rehabilitative treatment.

RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime suicide attempt was 27%, and the rate was similar in both sexes. Among females, current depressive symptoms and current post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis were associated with suicide attempt. In male AUD patients, among the mental-health-related factors, lifetime major depression, panic disorder, social phobia, childhood sexual abuse and antisocial personality disorder were associated with suicide attempt. In addition, AUD-related factors including longer duration of drinking, history of delirium tremens, greater severity of AUD and lower levels of prolactin were associated with suicide attempt in males.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that suicide attempts in female AUD patients were more mental-health-related, whereas those in males were also related to the severity of AUD. This suggests that a suicide prevention programme for AUD patients would benefit from a sex-based understanding of the risk factors.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide attempt; alcohol use disorder; sex difference