Incidence and Predictors of Suicide Attempts in DSM-IV Major Depressive Disorder: a Five-Year Prospective Study

Prospective information on 249 patients enrolled in the Vantaa Depression Study was available to investigate time spent in depressive states & the timing of suicide attempts. During the follow-up assessment period, there were 106 suicide attempts per 1,018 patient-years. The incidence rate per 1,000 patient-years during major depressive episodes was 21-fold & it was 4-fold during partial remission compared with full remission. In the Cox proportional hazards model, suicide attempts were predicted by the months spent in a major depressive episode or in partial remission, history of suicide attempts, age, lack of a partner, & low perceived social support. The adjusted population attributable fraction of the time spent depressed for suicide attempts was 78%. (40 refs.) JA