Exploration of the Association Between Physical Health and Suicidal Behavior in Psychiatric Outpatients in Rural America.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence reveals a link between poor physical health and suicide. The physical health of rural, adult psychiatric outpatients with a history of suicide was examined.

METHODS: The medical records of 192 patients seen at a tertiary-level academic medical center were examined for demographics, psychiatric and medical history, and self-reported measures of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and health status.

RESULTS: The 48 subjects who endorsed a history of suicide attempts evidenced more medical conditions than those who had not made a suicide attempt ( t = 2.91, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis of increased health risks in patients with a history of suicide attempts and highlight the need for targeted health interventions.