Assessment of suicidal youth in the emergency department

Development of guidelines for hospital care of suicide attempts in adolescence

This article aims to describe a qualitative and quantitative study of the construction and validation of guidelines for hospital care of adolescents with suicide attempts. The methodological approach involved an integrative literature review with thematic content analysis of 27 articles, which generated 3 categories: assessment of suicidal behavior in the context of the emergency department; intervention in suicidal behavior, and hospital multidisciplinary team. The content of these categories was the basis for the construction of an instrument with 15 statements about the performance of adolescents in suicidal crisis assisted in the hospital setting. This instrument was applied with 20 healthcare professionals selected from two hospital institutions in southern Brazil, who acted as judges/evaluators of the proposed statements. The content of the 15 statements was validated as guidelines through the Percentage of Concordance Calculation and the Score Calculation. The constructed guidelines may help multidisciplinary hospital teams when facing adolescents with suicide attempts, to base their conduct on criteria that guide actions of reception, assessment, intervention, and referral.

Development of guidelines for hospital care of suicide attempts in adolescence

Abstract This article aims to describe a qualitative and quantitative study of the construction and validation of guidelines for hospital care of adolescents with suicide attempts. The methodological approach involved an integrative literature review with thematic content analysis of 27 articles, which generated 3 categories: assessment of suicidal behavior in the context of the emergency department; intervention in suicidal behavior, and hospital multidisciplinary team. The content of these categories was the basis for the construction of an instrument with 15 statements about the performance of adolescents in suicidal crisis assisted in the hospital setting. This instrument was applied with 20 healthcare professionals selected from two hospital institutions in southern Brazil, who acted as judges/evaluators of the proposed statements. The content of the 15 statements was validated as guidelines through the Percentage of Concordance Calculation and the Score Calculation. The constructed guidelines may help multidisciplinary hospital teams when facing adolescents with suicide attempts, to base their conduct on criteria that guide actions of reception, assessment, intervention, and referral.

Future Directions in Understanding and Interpreting Discrepant Reports of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Youth

Both the quality and utility of youth suicide research depend on how we assess our outcomes of interest: suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). We now have access to more STB assessments than ever before, with measures for youth that vary in what exact experiences are asked about, how such measures elicit information, when and how frequently measures are administered, and who the informants are. This growing armamentarium of assessments has the potential to improve the study and treatment of STBs among youth, but it hinges on meaningful interpretation of assessment responses. Interpretation can be especially challenging when different STB assessments yield conflicting information. Determining how to manage discrepant reports of STBs is a pivotal step toward achieving meaningfully comprehensive STB assessment batteries. Here, we outline several discrepant reporting patterns that have been detected, discuss the potential significance of these observed discrepancies, and present initial steps to formally investigate discrepant reports of STBs among youth. Developing coherent, interpretable, and comprehensive batteries assessing STBs among youth would address a fundamental step to uncovering etiology, improving clinical decision-making and case management, informing intervention development, and tracking prognosis.

Characteristics of a First Suicide Attempt that Distinguish Between Adolescents Who Make Single Versus Multiple Attempts

Although a history of a suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of future suicide attempts, not all adolescents who make an attempt engage in repetitive suicidal behavior. The present study sought to determine whether certain characteristics of a first suicide attempt (e.g., age of first attempt, method of attempt used, intent seriousness, medical lethality, and receipt of treatment after attempt) can distinguish between adolescents who make single versus multiple suicide attempts. Adolescents (N = 95) who were psychiatrically hospitalized and their guardian completed a diagnostic interview to gather information on all lifetime suicide attempts. A multivariate hierarchical logistic regression was conducted, predicting single attempt versus multiple attempt status. Of the first-attempt characteristics examined, only age of first attempt, OR = 0.33, 95% CI [0.17-0.63], p = .001, and receipt of treatment following attempt, OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.09-0.88], p = .028, significantly distinguished SA vs. MA status, even after controlling for current age and depression at the time of first attempt. Female and White participants were overrepresented in this sample, which limits generalization to more heterogenous and diverse samples. The cross-sectional nature of data introduces the potential for retrospective recall bias. Younger age of first attempt and lack of receipt of mental health treatment following a first attempt were associated with multiple attempt status. These findings highlight the importance of early mental health screening, parental psychoeducation, and linkage to mental health care after a suicide attempt.

Implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal and Self-Harming Adolescents in a Community Clinic

The object of this research was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with suicidal and self-harming adolescents treated in a community clinic. A group of 24 adolescents at high risk for suicide were enrolled in 6 months of comprehensive DBT, provided by therapists and trainees at a county-run outpatient mental health clinic serving disadvantaged, ethnic minority clients. Results showed significant pre/post-treatment decreases in suicide attempts, non-suicidal self-injury behaviors (NSSI), and suicidal ideation. Results also showed significant decreases in other suicide risk factors, including emotion dysregulation, depression, impulsivity, BPD symptoms, psychopathology, PTSD symptoms, and substance use, as well as increases in family expressiveness and reasons for living. Treatment retention and satisfaction rates were high. As many youth at risk for suicide will be treated in community settings, findings showing that receiving DBT in a community clinic resulted in significant improvements across a range of suicide risk factors are an important contribution to the adolescent suicide prevention literature.

Suicidal and self-harm presentations to Emergency Departments: The challenges of identification through diagnostic codes and presenting complaints

BACKGROUND

The accuracy of data on suicide-related presentations to Emergency Departments (EDs) has implications for the provision of care and policy development, yet research on its validity is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To test the reliability of allocation of ICD-10 codes assigned to suicide and self-related presentations to EDs in Queensland, Australia.

METHOD

All presentations due to suicide attempts, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation between 1 July 2017 and 31 December 2017 were reviewed. The number of presentations identified through relevant ICD-10-AM codes and presenting complaints in the Emergency Department Information System were compared to those identified through an application of an evolutionary algorithm and medical record review (gold standard).

RESULTS

A total of 2540 relevant presentations were identified through the gold standard methodology. Great heterogeneity of ICD-10-AM codes and presenting complaints was observed for suicide attempts (40 diagnostic codes and 27 presenting complaints), NSSI (27 and 16, respectively) and suicidal ideation (38 and 34, respectively). Relevant ICD codes applied as primary or secondary diagnosis had very low sensitivity in detecting cases of suicide attempts (18.7%), NSSI (38.5%) and suicidal ideation (42.3%). A combination of ICD-10-AM code and a relevant presenting complaint increased specificity, however substantially reduced specificity and positive predictive values for all types of presentations. ED data showed bias in detecting higher percentages of suicide attempts by Indigenous persons (10.1% vs. 6.9%) or by cutting (28.1% vs. 10.3%), and NSSI by female presenters (76.4% vs. 67.4%).

CONCLUSION

Suicidal and self-harm presentations are grossly under-enumerated in ED datasets and should be used with caution until a more standardised approach to their formulation and recording is implemented.

Emergency Presentations to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and suicidality are common reasons for emergency presentations in child and adolescent psychiatry. Therefore, we focused on reasons for emergency presentations as well as specific characteristics of those presenting with NSSI or suicidality to an emergeny psychiatric service. We analyzed data from a German university hospital regarding emergency presentations during a 78 months' period. NSSI and suicidality were rated according to the Columbia Classification Algorithm of Suicide Assessment (C-CASA). Data from 546 emergency presentations was recorded, of which 347 (63.5%) presented for NSSI or suicidality. Given the high percentage, thorough assessment of sucidality as well as providing adequate treatment in emergency settings to establish further care, is of utmost importance.

Youth Suicide Attempt Nomenclature Used in Two Central Texas Hospitals

Abstract. Background: Surveillance systems capturing instances of self-directed violence (SDV) continue to lack uniform nomenclature and classification methodology. Aims: To apply and compare two retrospective surveillance approaches to youth experiencing SDV presenting to two urban hospitals with Level I Trauma Centers. Method: Two suicide attempt surveillance methods where retrospectively applied to our SDV cohort: (a) a rigorous method facilitated by medical record review and application of standardized classification; and (b) a common surveillance method conducted by systematic queries of suicide attempt key terms and diagnosis codes among hospital databases. Results: Rigorous surveillance identified 249 patients attempting suicide. The common method's querying suicide attempt in the chief complaint field had a high positive predictive value and specificity; however, sensitivity was low. Limitations: Authors were unable to determine whether all SDV encounters during the study timeframe were identified for initial screening owing to the hospital's lack of a uniform nomenclature or classification system. Conclusion: Results showed underreporting of suicide attempt cases, inadequate sensitivity and specificity in common surveillance methods, and skewed demographic representation compared with the rigorous surveillance method. This study elucidates the negative impact of inconsistent SDV nomenclature including impeding effective patient identification, treatment, surveillance, and generalizable research.

Systematic Literature Review of Attempted Suicide and Offspring

Background: Exposure to parental suicide attempt is associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes like lower educational performance, drug abuse and delinquent behavior. When a patient is hospitalized after a suicide attempt, this presents a unique opportunity to identify whether the patient has children, and thereby provide adequate follow-up for both the parent/patient and their children. The objective of this paper was to review the existing literature on follow-up measures for children subjected to parental suicide attempt. Methods: In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a systematic literature search. Results: The search resulted in a total of 1275 article titles, of which all abstracts were screened. Out of these, 72 full text papers were read, and a final four articles were included. Three of the included papers described parts of the same study from an emergency department in The Hague, where a protocol was implemented for monitoring and referring children of parents attempting suicide. The fourth article described the association between maternal attempted suicide and risk of abuse or neglect of their children. Conclusions: The lack of research in this particular area is striking. The circumstances surrounding a parent’s suicide attempt call for appropriate familial care.

Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): Part I. Practice Preparation, Identification, Assessment, and Initial Management

OBJECTIVES

To update clinical practice guidelines to assist primary care (PC) clinicians in the management of adolescent depression. This part of the updated guidelines is used to address practice preparation, identification, assessment, and initial management of adolescent depression in PC settings.

METHODS

By using a combination of evidence- and consensus-based methodologies, guidelines were developed by an expert steering committee in 2 phases as informed by (1) current scientific evidence (published and unpublished) and (2) draft revision and iteration among the steering committee, which included experts, clinicians, and youth and families with lived experience.

RESULTS

Guidelines were updated for youth aged 10 to 21 years and correspond to initial phases of adolescent depression management in PC, including the identification of at-risk youth, assessment and diagnosis, and initial management. The strength of each recommendation and its evidence base are summarized. The practice preparation, identification, assessment, and initial management section of the guidelines include recommendations for (1) the preparation of the PC practice for improved care of adolescents with depression; (2) annual universal screening of youth 12 and over at health maintenance visits; (3) the identification of depression in youth who are at high risk; (4) systematic assessment procedures by using reliable depression scales, patient and caregiver interviews, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria; (5) patient and family psychoeducation; (6) the establishment of relevant links in the community, and (7) the establishment of a safety plan.

CONCLUSIONS

This part of the guidelines is intended to assist PC clinicians in the identification and initial management of adolescents with depression in an era of great clinical need and shortage of mental health specialists, but they cannot replace clinical judgment; these guidelines are not meant to be the sole source of guidance for depression management in adolescents. Additional research that addresses the identification and initial management of youth with depression in PC is needed, including empirical testing of these guidelines.

Characteristics of patients presenting post-suicide attempt to an Academic Medical Center Emergency Department in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

Emergency Department (ED) visits for suicide attempts have been described worldwide; however, the populations studied were predominantly Western European, North American, or East Asian. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of ED patients presenting post-suicide attempt to an academic medical center in Lebanon and to report on factors that affect ED disposition.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2009 and 2015. Patients of any age group were included if they had presented to the ED after a suicide attempt. Patients with unintentional self-harm were excluded. Descriptive analysis was performed on the demographics and characteristics of suicide attempts of the study population. A bivariate analysis to compare the two groups (hospitalized or discharged) was conducted using Student's t test and Pearson Chi-square where appropriate. A multivariate analysis was then conducted to determine the predictors of hospital admission.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients were included in the final analysis. Most patients were females (71.4%) and between 22 and 49 years of age. A considerable number of patients were unemployed (43%), unmarried (61.1%), and living with family (86.9%). Most suicide attempts were performed at home (93.5%) and on a weekday (71.3%). The most common mechanisms of injury were overdose with prescription medications (61.3%), overdose with over-the-counter drugs (27.9%), and self-inflicted lacerations (10.1%). The classes of medication most commonly abused were benzodiazepines (39.3%) followed by acetaminophen (27.3%). A large portion of our patients were admitted (70.3%), with the majority going to the psychiatric ward (71.1%). Of note, a quarter (27.5%) of our patients left the ED against medical advice, with 23.5% of admitted patients leaving the hospital before completion of treatment. The main predictors of admission were found to be overdose on prescription medications OR 9.25 (2.12-40.42 CI95%).

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristics of our suicide attempters mirror those of international and regional suicide attempters. Further work is required to quantify the effect of voluntary refusal of hospital treatment, the repercussions of family, and financial barriers to healthcare and suicide as a whole in our society.

The Association Between Gender, Ethnicity, and Suicidality Among Vocational Students in Israel

Gender and ethnicity are significant factors when evaluating suicidal risk, especially among ethnically diverse populations. In the current study we explored the association between gender, ethnicity, and suicide ideation and attempts among Arab and Jewish vocational education and training high school students in Israel. Students (N = 3,554) completed a self-report survey evaluating suicide ideation and attempts, depression, anxiety, somatization, and sense of belonging. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling indicated that female Arab adolescents had elevated levels of suicide ideation, higher rates of suicide attempts, and greater psychological distress than Arab males and Jewish students. Furthermore, female Arab adolescents were found to be more susceptible to suicide ideation when depression levels were high. These results are discussed in the context of the double-jeopardy Arab young women face, as members of a minority ethnic group in Israel and their status as women within the patriarchal Arab culture.

Emergency Department Youth Patients With Suicidal Ideation or Attempts: Predicting Suicide Attempts Through 18 Months of Follow-Up

This prospective study of suicidal emergency department (ED) patients (ages 10-18) examined the timing, cumulative probability, and predictors of suicide attempts through 18 months of follow-up. The cumulative probability of attempts was as follows: .15 at 6 months, .22 at 1 year, and .24 by 18 months. One attempt was fatal, yielding a death rate of .006. Significant predictors of suicide attempt risk included a suicide attempt at ED presentation (vs. suicidal ideation only), nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, and low levels of delinquent symptoms. Results underscore the importance of both prior suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-harm as risk indicators for future and potentially lethal suicide attempts.

Cognitive-Behavioral Family Treatment for Suicide Attempt Prevention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Suicide is a leading cause of death. New data indicate alarming increases in suicide death rates, yet no treatments with replicated efficacy or effectiveness exist for youths with self-harm presentations, a high-risk group for both fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts. We addressed this gap by evaluating Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths (SAFETY), a cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior therapy-informed family treatment designed to promote safety.

METHOD

Randomized controlled trial for adolescents (12-18 years of age) with recent (past 3 months) suicide attempts or other self-harm. Youth were randomized either to SAFETY or to treatment as usual enhanced by parent education and support accessing community treatment (E-TAU). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, or end of treatment period, and were followed up through 6 to 12 months. The primary outcome was youth-reported incident suicide attempts through the 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Survival analyses indicated a significantly higher probability of survival without a suicide attempt by the 3-month follow-up point among SAFETY youths (cumulative estimated probability of survival without suicide attempt = 1.00, standard error = 0), compared to E-TAU youths (cumulative estimated probability of survival without suicide attempt = 0.67, standard error = 0.14; z = 2.45, p = .02, number needed to treat = 3) and for the overall survival curves (Wilcoxon χ21 = 5.81, p = .02). Sensitivity analyses using parent report when youth report was unavailable and conservative assumptions regarding missing data yielded similar results for 3-month outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Results support the efficacy of SAFETY for preventing suicide attempts in adolescents presenting with recent self-harm. This is the second randomized trial to demonstrate that treatment including cognitive-behavioral and family components can provide some protection from suicide attempt risk in these high-risk youths. Clinical trial registration information-Effectiveness of a Family-Based Intervention for Adolescent Suicide Attempters (The SAFETY Study); http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT00692302.