Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Suicide ideation in 100 patients with irritable bowel syndrome in a tertiary referral clinic was examined & compared with results from 100 secondary & 100 primary care patients, & in 100 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease. Patients were asked if they had seriously contemplated or attempted suicide specifically because of their illness as opposed to other issues. A total of 38% of the tertiary care patients had contemplated suicide because of their symptoms compared with 15% & 4% in the secondary & primary care patients. 15% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease reported suicide ideation. Five tertiary care patients & one inflammatory bowel disease patient had attempted suicide because of their illness. (26 refs.)