Risk of Suicide Attempt and Suicide Death in Patients Treated for Bipolar Disorder
Simon G E~~Hunkeler E~~et al
Computerized records were used to identify 32,360 individuals treated for bipolar disorder in two large prepaid health plans. Suicide attempts were identified using computerized records of outpatient visit diagnoses & hospital discharge diagnoses. Suicides were identified using state death certificate data. Overall event rates were 1.06 per 1,000 person-years for suicide, 5.6 per 1,000 person-years for suicide attempt leading to hospitalization, & 13.9 per 1,000 person-years for suicide attempt not leading to hospitalization. Men had a significantly lower rate of suicide attempt but a higher rate of suicide. Suicide attempts were significantly more frequent among younger patients. The predictors of suicide differed markedly from predictors of suicide attempt. (23 refs.)