Suicidal ideation in a European Huntington's disease population.

Hubers, Anna A. M.; van Duijn, Erik; Roos, Raymund A. C.; Craufurd, David; Rickards, Hugh; Landwehrmeyer, Bernhard G.; van der Mast, Rose C.; Giltay, Erik J.; The REGISTRYinvestigators, of the European Huntington's Disease Network; Schüpbach, Michael (2013). Suicidal ideation in a European Huntington's disease population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 151(1), pp. 248-258. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jad.2013.06.001

Text SuicidalIdeation_JAffDisor.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (371kB)

BACKGROUND

Previous studies indicate increased prevalences of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide in Huntington's disease (HD) compared with the general population. This study investigates correlates and predictors of suicidal ideation in HD.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 2106 HD mutation carriers, all participating in the REGISTRY study of the European Huntington's Disease Network. Of the 1937 participants without suicidal ideation at baseline, 945 had one or more follow-up measurements. Participants were assessed for suicidal ideation by the behavioural subscale of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Correlates of suicidal ideation were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and predictors were analyzed using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

At baseline, 169 (8.0%) mutation carriers endorsed suicidal ideation. Disease duration (odds ratio [OR]=0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-1.0), anxiety (OR=2.14; 95%CI: 1.4-3.3), aggression (OR=2.41; 95%CI: 1.5-3.8), a previous suicide attempt (OR=3.95; 95%CI: 2.4-6.6), and a depressed mood (OR=13.71; 95%CI: 6.7-28.0) were independently correlated to suicidal ideation at baseline. The 4-year cumulative incidence of suicidal ideation was 9.9%. Longitudinally, the presence of a depressed mood (hazard ratio [HR]=2.05; 95%CI: 1.1-4.0) and use of benzodiazepines (HR=2.44; 95%CI: 1.2-5.0) at baseline were independent predictors of incident suicidal ideation, whereas a previous suicide attempt was not predictive.

LIMITATIONS

As suicidal ideation was assessed by only one item, and participants were a selection of all HD mutation carriers, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was likely underestimated.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal ideation in HD frequently occurs. Assessment of suicidal ideation is a priority in mutation carriers with a depressed mood and in those using benzodiazepines.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

3 since deposited on 18 Jun 2014
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item