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Self-perception of poor health and suicidal ideation in medical patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2002

RENEE GOODWIN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
MARK OLFSON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

Abstract

Objective. To determine the relationship between self-perceived health and suicidal ideation among patients in general internal medicine practice settings.

Method. A representative sample of 4007 patients was assessed for current suicidal ideation, self-perception of health, current medical disorders and current mental disorders (major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks and alcohol use disorder) with the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire.

Results. Patients with self-perception of poor health, compared with those who reported more favourable health perception, were significantly more likely to report current suicidal ideation (35.2% v. 8.3%; χ2 = 97.4, df = 1, P<0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the perception of poor health was associated with a significantly increased risk of suicidal ideation (OR = 3.1, CI 1.9, 5.0), even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, mental disorders and common physical illnesses.

Conclusion. Self-perception of poor health is associated with a significantly increased risk of suicidal ideation among general medical patients, even in the absence of common mental and physical disorders. These findings add to a growing literature on the importance of self-perceived health in the treatment and outcomes of mental and physical well-being by documenting self-perceived poor health as a risk factor for suicidal ideation in medical patients.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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