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Does The Suicide Assessment Scale Predict Risk Of Repetition? A Prospective Study Of Suicide Attempters At A Hospital Emergency Department

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M. Waern*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345Gothenburg, Sweden
N. Sjöström
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Section for learning and leadership, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 457, 40530Göteborg, Sweden
T. Marlow
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345Gothenburg, Sweden
J. Hetta
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, HS M57, 14186Stockholm, Sweden
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +46 31 342 2164; fax: +46 31 828163. E-mail address: margda.waern@neuro.gu.se (M. Waern).
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Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether the modified version of the Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS) can be utilised to predict risk of repeat suicidal behaviour.

Subjects and methods

Hundred and sixty-five patients aged 18 to 68 years who were admitted to emergency wards after a suicide attempt were interviewed. Follow-up interviews (n = 96) were carried out after 2 months. Associations between SUAS scores and repeat attempt (fatal/non-fatal) during the following 3 years were analysed and the instrument's ability to predict repetition was assessed.

Results

High SUAS score (>30) was associated with repetition. The ability of the SUAS to correctly predict repeat suicidal behaviour in the entire study group was low (AUC = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.56–0.74) but better for those (n = 42) who reported ongoing psychiatric treatment at follow-up (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI 0.63–0.94). Among the latter group, all with baseline SUAS scores >30 made repeats.

Conclusion

The modified SUAS performed well as a screening instrument in psychiatric patients.

Type
Suicidology
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2019

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