A 12-Month prospective study of the effects of PTSD-depression comorbidity on suicidal behavior in Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. (30th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kimbrel, Nathan A.; Meyer, Eric C.; DeBeer, Bryann B.; Gulliver, Suzy B.; Morissette, Sandra B.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 243(2016)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2016-09-30
• Subjects: Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Depression -- Suicide attempts; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.06.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: The present study used validated clinical interviews to assess the effect of comorbid PTSD-depression on suicidal behavior over the course of 12 months in 309 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. Logistic regression models demonstrated that comorbid PTSD-depression was a statistically significant predictor of suicide attempts at the 12-month follow-up in both the total sample and in the subset of veterans with PTSD/depression (n=98). In contrast, gender, age, race, sexual orientation, and baseline history of suicide attempts did not have significant effects. These findings suggest that comorbid PTSD-depression may be a significant risk factor for future suicidal behavior in veterans. Highlights: This study examined comorbid PTSD-depression and suicidal behavior over time. Comorbid PTSD-depression predicted suicide attempts at 12-month follow-up. This effect was found in the total sample and in the subset of veterans with PTSD/depression. Veterans with comorbid PTSD-depression should be carefully monitored.