Outcome of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder After Serious Suicide Attempt

The outcome of individuals with major depressive disorder after a serious suicide attempt was studied & the effect of psychotic symptoms on their outcome examined. The study population included all 1,820 persons aged 16 years or older in Finland who were hospitalized with major depressive disorder & attempted suicide from 1996-2003. During the 4-year follow-up period, 13% of patients died, 6% died by suicide, & 31% made a repeat suicide attempt. Subjects with major depression with psychotic features completed suicide more often than subjects without psychotic features. Antidepressant treatment reduced all-cause mortality by 24% but did not reduce suicide mortality. (52 refs.) JA