Citation

Carbajal JM, Kordsmeier NC, Caceda R. South. Med. J. 2017; 110(4): 235-238.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000630

PMID

28376517

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evidence reveals a link between poor physical health and suicide. The physical health of rural, adult psychiatric outpatients with a history of suicide was examined.
METHODS: The medical records of 192 patients seen at a tertiary-level academic medical center were examined for demographics, psychiatric and medical history, and self-reported measures of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and health status.
RESULTS: The 48 subjects who endorsed a history of suicide attempts evidenced more medical conditions than those who had not made a suicide attempt (t = 2.91, P = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis of increased health risks in patients with a history of suicide attempts and highlight the need for targeted health interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; United States; Adult; Female; Male; Health Status; Anxiety; Depression; Rural Population; Suicide, Attempted; Outpatients; Mental Disorders