Columbia Classification Algorithm of Suicide Assessment (C-CASA): Classification of Suicidal Events in the FDA’s Pediatric Suicidal Risk Analysis of Antidepressants

To evaluate the link between antidepressants & suicidal behaviour & ideation in youth, adverse events from pediatric clinical trials were classified in order to identify suicidal events. The authors describe the Columbia Classification Algorithm for Suicide Assessment, a standardized rating system. Adverse events from 25 clinical trials were systematically identified. Randomly assigned adverse events were evaluated by three of nine independent experts using the Columbia classification system. The Food & Drug Administration’s audit of this approach demonstrated excellent transportability. (39 refs.)