Suicidal Ideation and Risk Levels Among Primary Care Patients With Uncomplicated Depression

The prevalence, severity, & course of passive & active suicide ideation was studied in primary care patients with an uncomplicated depressive disorder recruited from 60 primary care practices. Of the 761 patients judged in need of treatment for clinical depression, 405 were experiencing uncomplicated dysthymia, major depression, or both. Of these, about 90% had no risk or a low risk of self-harm based on the presence & nature of suicidal ideation; the rest had an intermediate risk. Almost all patients acknowledging suicidal ideation of the minimal risk type when initially assessed maintained this minimal risk status during the subsequent 6 months. (28 refs.)