Suicidal Ideation in Emergency Department Chest Pain Patients: Panic Disorder a Risk Factor

The prevalence of recent suicidal ideation was studied in 441 consecutive emergency department chest pain patients who underwent a structured psychiatric interview. To examine the controversial link between panic disorder (PD) & suicidal behaviour, logistic regression analyses were conducted in which current psychiatric diagnoses (Axis I) as well as pertinent medical & demographic information were assessed as risk factors for suicidal ideation. 10% of patients had recent suicidal ideation & 60% of those met criteria for PD. Further findings are discussed. (46 refs)