History of Suicide Attempts in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Factors Associated With Increased Risk

This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among 405 children & adolescents with bipolar disorder & compared subjects with a history of suicide attempts to those without on demographic, clinical, & familial risk factors. Nearly one-third of patients with bipolar disorder had a lifetime history of suicide attempt. Attempters, compared with non-attempters, were older, more likely to have a lifetime history of mixed episodes, psychotic features, & bipolar I. Multivariate analysis found the most robust set of predictors for suicide attempt included mixed episodes, psychosis, hospitalization, self-injurious behaviour, panic disorder, & substance use disorder. (51 refs.)