Correlates of suicide ideation and attempts in children and adolescents with eating disorders

Suicidal thoughts and attempts in a transdiagnostic eating disorder sample: Do diagnostic severity criteria predict risk?

OBJECTIVE

Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with elevated suicide. Low body mass index (BMI) and frequency of purging and binge eating represent severity criteria for EDs and distinguish full-threshold EDs from other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). However, no work has taken a transdiagnostic approach to studying whether severity of these or other features is associated with suicidal ideation (SI) and attempts.

METHOD

We examined diagnostic status, ED features, and SI and attempts in a large, transdiagnostic, community sample of 257 women with EDs and 45 controls without a current or past ED in the United States using the EDs Examination interview and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

RESULTS

SI and suicide attempts (SA) were elevated in OSFED compared to controls but did not differ between OSFED and full-threshold EDs. Higher BMI predicted increased SI. Number of purging methods, but not frequency, was related to history of SA. Binge episode frequency and size were not significant predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

OSFED presents with elevated SI and SA, and ED severity criteria that distinguish OSFED from full-threshold EDs do not predict SI or SA. Suicide risk assessments should be implemented universally across EDs in clinical practice.

The maltreated eco-phenotype of eating disorders: A new diagnostic specifier? A systematic review of the evidence and comprehensive description

This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence on the existence of a distinct phenotypic expression of Eating Disorders (EDs) associated with childhood maltreatment (CM), the so-called maltreated eco-phenotype of EDs. PRISMA standards were followed. Articles providing data about the characteristics of individuals with an ED reporting CM were included. Relevant results were extracted and summarized. A quality assessment was performed. A total of 1207 records were identified and screened, and 97 articles published between 1994 and 2023 were included. Findings revealed distinct biological and clinical features in patients with EDs reporting CM, including neuroanatomical changes, altered stress responses, ghrelin levels, inflammation markers, and gut microbiota composition. Clinically, CM correlated with severer eating behaviors, higher psychiatric comorbidity, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and risky behaviors. Additionally, CM was associated with poorer treatment outcomes, especially in general psychopathology and psychiatric comorbidities. This review highlighted the need to move towards an etiologically informed nosography, recognizing CM not merely as a risk factor, but also as an etiologic agent shaping different eco-phenotypic variants of EDs.

Prevalence of suicide attempt, suicide ideation and self-harm at diagnosis in adolescents with eating disorders

BACKGROUND

Data concerning the suicide prevalence of eating disorder (ED) subtypes and predictive factors are lacking in youth. This study aimed to examine suicide attempts (SA), suicide ideation (SI) and self-harm (SH) upon diagnosis in adolescents with EDs.

METHODS

The prevalence of SA, SI and SH in ED subtypes was evaluated by retrospectively assessing the Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicidal ideation and Safety (HEEADSSS) instrument of adolescents diagnosed with an ED. Clinical predictors of SI in anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN (AAN) were assessed.

RESULTS

Among all participants (398), 41 (10.3%) reported SA, 126 (31.7%) SI and 60 (15.1%) SH. While SA did not differ statistically between ED subgroups (p = .123), they were two times more prevalent in the bulimia nervosa (BN) group (17.5%) than in the AN group (8.5%). In the BN group, SI was 2.3 times more prevalent than in the AN group (p = .001). The AN and ARFID groups exhibited substantially less SH (p = .036). Having a higher body mass index (BMI) was the only significant predictor of SI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that adolescents with EDs are at an increased risk for suicidality, highlighting the need for close screening, particularly in those with BN, AN-BP and AN with a higher BMI.

Influence of nonsuicidal self-injury functions on suicide risk in individuals with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) display elevated rates of suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation and behaviors) as well as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) (e.g., self-harm behaviors without intent to die). NSSI-and particularly the functions of NSSI-predict suicidal ideation in general samples; however, to our knowledge, the relation between NSSI functions and suicidal ideation in ED populations has been unexplored.

METHOD

This study examined whether specific functions of NSSI are relevant to suicidal ideation in a treatment-seeking sample of women with EDs (n = 100). Participants completed self-report measures of suicidal ideation, NSSI, and related psychopathology upon intake to an ED treatment program.

RESULTS

Using the four-function model of NSSI, we found that intrapersonal and interpersonal-negative reinforcement, but not interpersonal-positive reinforcement functions, were related to suicidal ideation in women with EDs. Contrary to expectations, we did not find that endorsement of multiple NSSI functions was related to increased suicide risk.

DISCUSSION

Findings imply that some, but not all, functions of NSSI may be relevant to suicide risk in individuals with EDs. Implications for further research are discussed.

Frequency and correlates of lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among consecutively hospitalized youth with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: results from a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Youth with eating disorders (EDs) face an increased risk of a premature suicide death. Precursors of completed suicide are suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, which need to be well understood to prevent suicide. However, epidemiological data on the lifetime prevalence and clinical correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (i.e., "suicidality") are lacking for the vulnerable group of inpatient ED youth.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review was conducted at a psychiatric child and adolescent inpatient department, covering a 25-year period. Consecutively hospitalized youth with an ICD-10 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN), restricting type (AN-R), binge-purging type (AN-BP), and bulimia nervosa (BN) were included. Data extraction and coding were standardized with trained raters extracting information from patient records according to a procedural manual and using a piloted data extraction template. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was calculated for each ED subgroup, and clinical correlates of suicidality were analyzed via multivariable regression analyses.

RESULTS

In the sample of 382 inpatients aged 9-18 years (median age = 15.6, females = 97.1%; AN-R: n = 242, BN: n = 84, AN-BP: n = 56), 30.6% of patients had lifetime suicidal ideation (BN:52.4% ≈ AN-BP:44.6% > AN-R:19.8%, χ²(2,382) = 37.2, p < 0.001, Φ = 0.31), and 3.4% of patients reported a history of suicide attempts (AN-BP:8.9% ≈ BN:4.8% > AN-R:1.7%, χ²(2,382) = 7.9, p = 0.019, Φ = 0.14). Independent clinical correlates of suicidality were i) for AN-R a higher number of psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 3.02 [1.90, 4.81], p < 0.001), and body weight < 1^st BMI percentile at hospital admission (OR = 1.25 [1.07,1.47], p = 0.005) (r² = 0.20); ii) for AN-BP patients a higher number of psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 3.68 [1.50, 9.04], p = 0.004) and history of childhood abuse (OR = 0.16 [0.03, 0.96], p = 0.045) (r² = 0.36), and iii) for BN patients a higher prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)(OR = 3.06 [1.37, 6.83], p = 0.006) (r² = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

About half of youth inpatients with AN-BP and BN had lifetime suicidal ideation, and one-tenth of patients with AN-BP had attempted suicide. Treatment programs need to address specific clinical correlates of suicidality, namely, low body weight, psychiatric comorbidities, history of childhood abuse, and NSSI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was not a clinical trial but a retrospective chart review based on routinely assessed clinical parameters. The study includes data from human participants; however: (1) no intervention and no prospective assignment to interventions were performed, and (2) no evaluation of intervention in participants was accomplished.

Unsound sleep, wound-up mind: a longitudinal examination of acute suicidal affective disturbance features among an eating disorder sample

BACKGROUND

Suicide is one of the most commonly reported causes of death in individuals with eating disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the suicide and disordered eating link are largely unknown, and current assessments are still unable to accurately predict future suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to test the utility of two promising proximal risk factors, sleep quality and agitation, in predicting suicidal ideation in a sample of individuals with elevated suicidal thoughts and behaviors, namely those with eating disorders.

METHODS

Women (N = 97) receiving treatment at an eating disorder treatment center completed weekly questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation, agitation, and sleep. General linear mixed models examined whether agitation and/or sleep quality were concurrently or prospectively associated with suicidal ideation across 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

There was a significant interaction between within-person agitation and sleep quality on suicidal ideation [B(s.e.) = -0.02(0.01), p < 0.05], such that on weeks when an individual experienced both higher than their average agitation and lower than their average sleep quality, they also experienced their highest levels of suicidal ideation. However, neither agitation nor sleep quality prospectively predicted suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study was the first to examine dynamic associations between interpersonal constructs and suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders. Results suggest that ongoing assessment for overarousal symptoms, such as agitation and poor sleep quality, in individuals with eating disorders may be warranted in order to manage suicidal ideation among this vulnerable population.

Transtornos alimentares na infância

Transtornos alimentares são um tema preocupante em qualquer fase de desenvolvimento humano. Essa revisão da literatura teve o objetivo de analisar as produções científicas quanto a transtornos alimentares em crianças, com a busca de artigos publicados entre 2014-2019 nas bases de dados Scielo, Pepsic, BVS (Lilacs) e Periódicos CAPES, utilizando os termos “childhood” AND “eating disorder”, “child” AND “eating disorder”, “children” AND “eating disorder”, “childhood” AND “eating difficulty”. 43 artigos foram selecionados após a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão e inclusão. Os resultados indicaram três tópicos principais discutidos nos estudos: a forma como os cuidadores influenciam na alimentação de crianças, fatores emocionais e psicológicos que influenciam nos transtornos alimentares, e o tratamento de crianças com transtornos alimentares. Concluiu-se que o tema ainda é pouco estudado e o cenário internacional é referência em publicações. 

Psychiatric and medical comorbidities of eating disorders: findings from a rapid review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders (EDs) are potentially severe, complex, and life-threatening illnesses. The mortality rate of EDs is significantly elevated compared to other psychiatric conditions, primarily due to medical complications and suicide. The current rapid review aimed to summarise the literature and identify gaps in knowledge relating to any psychiatric and medical comorbidities of eating disorders.

METHODS

This paper forms part of a rapid review) series scoping the evidence base for the field of EDs, conducted to inform the Australian National Eating Disorders Research and Translation Strategy 2021-2031, funded and released by the Australian Government. ScienceDirect, PubMed and Ovid/Medline were searched for English-language studies focused on the psychiatric and medical comorbidities of EDs, published between 2009 and 2021. High-level evidence such as meta-analyses, large population studies and Randomised Control Trials were prioritised.

RESULTS

A total of 202 studies were included in this review, with 58% pertaining to psychiatric comorbidities and 42% to medical comorbidities. For EDs in general, the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities were anxiety (up to 62%), mood (up to 54%) and substance use and post-traumatic stress disorders (similar comorbidity rates up to 27%). The review also noted associations between specific EDs and non-suicidal self-injury, personality disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. EDs were complicated by medical comorbidities across the neuroendocrine, skeletal, nutritional, gastrointestinal, dental, and reproductive systems. Medical comorbidities can precede, occur alongside or emerge as a complication of the ED.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides a thorough overview of the comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions co-occurring with EDs. High psychiatric and medical comorbidity rates were observed in people with EDs, with comorbidities contributing to increased ED symptom severity, maintenance of some ED behaviours, and poorer functioning as well as treatment outcomes. Early identification and management of psychiatric and medical comorbidities in people with an ED may improve response to treatment and overall outcomes.

Association study of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 Val158Met gene polymorphism and suicide attempt in Mexican adolescents with major depressive disorder

AIM

We analyzed the association between SLC6A4, DRD2, COMT and MAOA genes and suicide attempt (SA) in Mexican adolescent patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

The sample included 197 adolescents (127 females and 70 males) with principal diagnosis of MDD. Among them, 63 patients had SA at least once and 134 had not SA. The mean age of patients with and without SA was 15 ± 1.4 and 14 ± 1.5 years, respectively. We analyzed the genotype and allele distribution between patients with and without SA of SLC6A4 (5HTTLPR/rs25531), DRD2 (rs6275), COMT (rs4680), and MAOA (uVNTR).

RESULTS

We did not find genotype or allele association between SA and SLC6A4 (χ²=0.67, p = 0.71; χ²=0.07, p = 0.77, respectively), DRD2 (χ²=0.05, p = 0.97; χ²=0.003, p = 0.95), and MAOA (females: χ²=0.86, p = 0.64; χ²=0, p = 1/males: χ²=0.008, p = 0.92) genes. However, there were differences in genotype frequencies of COMT/rs4680 between patients with SA and without SA (χ²=11.17, p = 0.003). Also, we observed a high frequency of Met158 allele showing an increased risk of having presented at least one SA (χ²=10.6, p = 0.001; OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed an association between low activity genotype and allele of Val158Met polymorphism of COMT gene and SA in Mexican adolescents with MDD.

Using natural language processing to extract self-harm and suicidality data from a clinical sample of patients with eating disorders: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for those diagnosed with eating disorders who report self-harm and suicidality.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This study was a retrospective cohort study within a secondary mental health service, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Trust.

PARTICIPANTS

All diagnosed with an F50 diagnosis of eating disorder from January 2009 to September 2019 were included.

INTERVENTION AND MEASURES

Electronic health records (EHRs) for these patients were extracted and two natural language processing tools were used to determine documentation of self-harm and suicidality in their clinical notes. These tools were validated manually for attribute agreement scores within this study.

RESULTS

The attribute agreements for precision of positive mentions of self-harm were 0.96 and for suicidality were 0.80; this demonstrates a 'near perfect' and 'strong' agreement and highlights the reliability of the tools in identifying the EHRs reporting self-harm or suicidality. There were 7434 patients with EHRs available and diagnosed with eating disorders included in the study from the dates January 2007 to September 2019. Of these, 4591 (61.8%) had a mention of self-harm within their records and 4764 (64.0%) had a mention of suicidality; 3899 (52.4%) had mentions of both. Patients reporting either self-harm or suicidality were more likely to have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) (self-harm, AN OR=3.44, 95% CI 1.05 to 11.3, p=0.04; suicidality, AN OR=8.20, 95% CI 2.17 to 30.1; p=0.002). They were also more likely to have a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (p≤0.001), bipolar disorder (p<0.001) or substance misuse disorder (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A high percentage of patients (>60%) diagnosed with eating disorders report either self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Relative to other eating disorders, those diagnosed with AN were more likely to report either self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Psychiatric comorbidity, in particular borderline personality disorder and substance misuse, was also associated with an increase risk in self-harm and suicidality. Therefore, risk assessment among patients diagnosed with eating disorders is crucial.

Characterizing children hospitalized for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors

BACKGROUND

Despite alarming increases in suicide deaths among preadolescent children, knowledge of the precipitants of suicide risk and the characteristics of children who seek treatment for suicidality is limited. This study's purpose is to describe children (ages 6-12) hospitalized for suicide-related concerns and compare demographic and diagnostic differences between children and adolescent (ages 13-18) patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 502 children and adolescents ages 6-18 admitted for suicide-related risk to one psychiatric inpatient hospital in southeastern United States between 2015 and 2018.

RESULTS

Patients were predominantly White (63.5%), female (64.5%), and non-Hispanic/Latino (85.1%). We conducted descriptive analyses and a series of logistic regressions comparing children and adolescents with data extracted from discharge summaries, (i.e. primary reasons for admission, environmental stressors, and diagnostic categories). Common environmental stressors included school (63.2%) and family (60.7%), and the most common diagnosis included depressive disorders. Compared to adolescents, children were more likely to be Black (OR = 1.99), male (OR = 1.94), and receive neurodevelopmental disorder (aOR = 3.0) or trauma and stress-related disorder (aOR = 2.6) diagnoses, but less likely to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder (aOR = 0.4). Across both age-groups, Black patients were more likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders and less likely to receive internalizing disorder diagnoses.

CONCLUSIONS

Characteristics of children hospitalized for suicide-related risk are relatively similar to characteristics of children dying by suicide. Compared to adolescents, hospitalized children are more likely to be Black, male, and have a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis. Proactively identifying and providing strengths-based supports for Black boys and families appear critical for suicide prevention in children.

Self-Reported Lifetime History of Eating Disorders and Mortality in the General Population: A Canadian Population Survey with Record Linkage

Eating disorders (EDs) are often reported to have the highest mortality of any mental health disorder. However, this assertion is based on clinical samples, which may provide an inaccurate view of the actual risks in the population. Hence, in the current retrospective cohort study, mortality of self-reported lifetime history of EDs in the general population was explored. The data source was the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (CCHS 1.2), linked to a national mortality database. The survey sample was representative of the Canadian household population (mean age = 43.95 years, 50.9% female). The survey inquired about the history of professionally diagnosed chronic conditions, including EDs. Subsequently, the survey dataset was linked to the national mortality dataset (for the date of death) up to 2017. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the effect of EDs on mortality. The unadjusted-hazard ratio (HR) for the lifetime history of an ED was 1.35 (95% CI 0.70-2.58). However, the age/sex-adjusted HR increased to 4.5 (95% CI 2.33-8.84), which was over two times higher than age/sex-adjusted HRs for other mental disorders (schizophrenia/psychosis, mood-disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder). In conclusion, all-cause mortality of self-reported lifetime history of EDs in the household population was markedly elevated and considerably higher than that of other self-reported disorders. This finding replicates prior findings in a population-representative sample and provides a definitive quantification of increased risk of mortality in EDs, which was previously lacking. Furthermore, it highlights the seriousness of EDs and an urgent need for strategies that may help to improve long-term outcomes.

Risk factors for pre-adolescent onset suicidal behavior in a high-risk sample of youth

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for preadolescent onset suicidal behavior compared with adolescent/young adult onset suicidal behavior in a longitudinal sample of youth with parental history of mood disorders.

METHODS

The sample includes 545 youth who were age 21 years or less at the time of their baseline assessment. Participants underwent baseline and yearly study assessments. Observations were censored at the time point closest to the first episode of suicidal behavior for youth with suicidal behavior and at the time of last observation for youth without suicidal behavior. Youth were categorized into 3 groups: first onset of suicidal behavior before the age of 13 (n = 32), first onset of suicidal behavior between the ages of 13-21 (n = 51) and those without suicide related behaviors (n = 462). ANOVA, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test and multinomial regression were used to test the hypotheses.

RESULTS

Significant predictors of preadolescent onset suicidal behavior were diagnosis of depressive disorder (RRR = 11.41, p<.001) and diagnosis of ADHD (RRR = 2.86, p = .02). Adolescent onset was predicted by diagnosis of depressive disorder (RRR = 4.12, p = .008), female sex (RRR = 2.68, p = .02) and self-reported suicidal ideation (RRR = 1.48, p = .004).

LIMITATIONS

These results are most applicable to offspring of parents with significant mood disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The strongest predictor of suicidal behavior in both groups was a diagnosis of depressive disorder, and the risk was nearly 3 times higher in preadolescents. ADHD was a significant predictor only for preadolescents, while female sex and self-reported suicidal ideation predicted suicidal behavior in adolescents.

Eating Disorders and Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents with Major Depression: Insights from the US Hospitals

Objective: To evaluate the odds of association between suicidal ideation and/or attempt with comorbid eating disorders in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and included 122,020 adolescents with a primary diagnosis of MDD from the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS, 2012–2014). They were sub-grouped by a comorbid diagnosis of eating disorders (N = 1675). We calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) using a logistic regression model with demographic confounders for associations of eating disorders with suicidal ideation and attempt. Results: Suicidal ideations were seen in a higher proportion of adolescents with eating disorders (46.3% vs. 14.2% in those without eating disorders). On the contrary, a low proportion of adolescents with eating disorders had suicidal attempts (0.9% vs. 39.4% in those without eating disorders). Overall, eating disorders were associated with higher odds for suicidal ideations (aOR 5.36, 95% CI 4.82–5.97) compared to those without eating disorders, but with lower odds of suicidal attempt (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.03). Conclusions: Adolescents with MDD and comorbid eating disorders had five-times increased odds of suicidal ideations but lower odds of a suicide attempt. Self-harm/injurious behaviors are early signs of suicidal ideations in these patients. A collaborative care model is required for the screening, early diagnosis, and management of adolescents with eating disorders to improve their quality of life.

Psychosocial risk factors and outcomes associated with suicide attempts in childhood: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To examine factors differentiating individuals whose first suicide attempt was during childhood (ages 5-12 yrs) from those who first attempted suicide during adolescence (13-19 yrs) and during adulthood (≥20 yrs).

METHOD

A sample of 418 participants (ages 18-64 yrs) with a mood disorder and ≥1 lifetime suicide attempt was divided into three groups according to age of first suicide attempt (childhood: N = 43, adolescent: N = 149, adulthood: N = 226) and compared on demographics, childhood adversity, parental psychopathology, comorbid lifetime axis I diagnoses, self-harm and characteristics of first attempt.

RESULTS

Participants in the Childhood Attempt group were more likely to report childhood adversity, parental alcohol use disorder and subsequent suicide attempts than the two other groups. They were also more likely to have a depressed mother, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) during childhood and adolescence, lifetime PTSD and aggressive behavior than the Adulthood Attempt group. The Adolescent Attempt group had more childhood adversity, parental suicidal behavior, lifetime PTSD and NSSI during adolescence than the Adulthood Attempt group. The groups differed on methods of first attempt, and its lethality was related to age of attempt.

CONCLUSIONS

Early adversity and parental psychopathology are particularly prominent in those who make childhood suicide attempts, suggesting that this group may represent a suicidal behavior subtype.

Suicide attempts in eating disorder subtypes: a meta-analysis of the literature employing DSM-IV, DSM-5, or ICD-10 diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND

Quantification of suicidal risk in specific populations is important for the adoption of targeted prevention and harm reduction measures. Though there remains little systematic evidence, risk of suicide attempts for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-purging anorexia nervosa (AN-bp) appears higher than restrictive AN (AN-r); risk in binge eating disorder (BED) is still unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare proportions of suicide attempts in eating disorder (ED) subgroups.

METHODS

A literature search using combinations of key-words for ED and suicide attempts was performed. Studies reporting proportions of suicide attempters in at least two ED groups, diagnosed according to DSM-IV or -5 and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria were considered. ED subgroups were analyzed in pairs using a binary random effect model for proportions. Publication bias, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In BN, attempted suicide was more frequent (21%) than in AN (12.5%), but the difference was statistically significant only when BN was compared with AN-r (9-10%). In BED, the proportion of suicide attempts was as high as in AN (10-12%).

CONCLUSIONS

Though limited by heterogeneity across the studies in terms of methodology and aims, inability to control for relevant confounding variables, exclusion of ED not otherwise specified, this study supports suicide attempts as a major issue in EDs, especially in binge-purging subtypes, i.e. BN and AN-bp. Similar suicidal proportions were observed in AN and BED. The reasons for a greater proportion of attempted suicide in binge/purging subtypes need to be explored in future studies.

Socio-demographic and psychological risk factors for suicidal behavior among individuals with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and is also elevated in bulimia nervosa (BN). We carried out a systematic review in which we analyzed the relationship between AN and/or BN and suicidality (i.e. suicidal ideation or attempted and/or death by suicide) and the major risk factors for suicidal behavior among AN and BN patients by synthesizing the qualitative data from relevant studies.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

According to PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of the literature on PsycNET, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Search terms were "eating disorders" "OR" "anorexia" "OR" "bulimia" combined with the Boolean "AND" operator with "suicide."

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The initial search identified 8,590 records, of which 38 research reports met the predefined inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Eating disorders (EDs) were found to be associated with a marked increase in suicidal behaviors and ideation. ED type, impulsivity, and specific interpersonal features were associated with suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of the combined role of socio-demographic and psychological factors to the co-occurrence of EDs and suicidal behavior. It is imperative that a thorough suicide assessment be conducted routinely for individuals with past and current EDs, and that clinicians be aware that this risk may be ongoing and occur throughout treatment, even after ED symptoms appear to be remitting.

LIMITATIONS

Study limitations include diagnostic definitions of and criteria for EDs, and the different terminology used by researchers to define suicide, including non-suicidal behaviors, which weakens the ability to draw conclusions regarding actual suicidal behaviors versus other self-harm behaviors.

Correlates of suicidal ideation in college women with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

To identify the correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) in a large sample of college women with eating disorders (EDs).

METHOD

A total of 690 female college students from 28 US colleges who screened positive for an ED, with the exception of anorexia nervosa, were assessed for SI. Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent correlates of SI. Measures included: ED psychopathology, ED behaviors (i.e., binge eating, vomiting, laxatives, compulsive exercise), current co-morbid psychopathology (i.e., depression, anxiety, insomnia), weight/shape concerns, ED-related clinical impairment, and body mass index (BMI). All significant variables were included in a backward binary multivariate logistic regression model to determine which variables were most strongly associated with SI.

RESULTS

A total of 25.6% of the sample reported SI. All variables examined were significantly independently associated with SI, with the exception of compulsive exercise. Depression, anxiety, and vomiting remained as significant correlates of SI in the multivariate logistic regression model.

DISCUSSION

ED screening on college campuses should assess for suicidality, and prevention and treatment efforts should target vomiting and co-morbid depression and anxiety symptoms to reduce risk of SI for high-risk individuals.

Suicidality in sleep disorders: prevalence, impact, and management strategies

Sleep disturbances are associated with suicide-related thoughts and behaviors, and the incidence of sleep concerns and suicide has increased recently in the US. Most published research exploring the sleep-suicidality relation is focused on select sleep disorders, with few reviews offering a comprehensive overview of the sleep-suicidality literature. This narrative review broadly investigates the growing research literature on sleep disorders and suicidality, noting the prevalence of suicide ideation and nonfatal and fatal suicide attempts, the impact of several sleep disorders on suicide risk, and potential sleep-disorder management strategies for mitigating suicide risk. Aside from insomnia symptoms and nightmares, there exist opportunities to learn more about suicide risk across many sleep conditions, including whether sleep disorders are associated with suicide risk independently of other psychiatric conditions or symptoms. Generally, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials examining the modification of suicide risk via evidence-based sleep interventions for individuals with sleep disorders.

Update on Psychological Trauma, Other Severe Adverse Experiences and Eating Disorders: State of the Research and Future Research Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper provides an updated review of the literature on the relationship between psychological trauma exposure, other severe adverse experiences, and eating disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Trauma exposure and other severe adverse experiences (e.g., emotional abuse) in both childhood and adulthood are associated with eating disorders. The relationship between traumatic and other adverse experiences and eating disorders appears to be mediated by emotional and behavioral dysregulation, as well as by cognitive factors such as self-criticism. Biological vulnerabilities may also be relevant to this relationship. Overall, the literature is limited by predominantly cross-sectional designs. There is clear evidence of a correlational relationship between trauma exposure and other severe adverse events, and eating disorders. Both risk and maintenance factor hypotheses have been put forth; however, prospective research testing these hypotheses remains limited. Future research should use prospective designs and focus on trauma-related symptoms (rather than trauma exposure) in order to advance research on risk and maintaining factors for eating disorders and inform treatment directions.

Long-term follow up of hospitalized pediatric anorexia nervosa restricting type

BACKGROUND

Information on long-term follow up of childhood-onset anorexia nervosa is scarce. This study investigated long-term (>10 years) course, outcome and prognostic factors for hospitalized childhood-onset anorexia nervosa restricting type (ANR).

METHODS

Forty-one ANR girls admitted to a single regional center participated. Median age at first admission was 13.3 years (range, 8.6-15.6 years). The longitudinal clinical course was retrospectively determined for a median follow-up period of 17.1 years (range, 10.4-21.1 years). We analyzed physical, psychological, and social variables to predict partial remission (PR) and full remission (FR).

RESULTS

The completion rate of follow up >10 years was high at 97%. At final evaluation (n = 38), distribution of prognosis was as follows: FR, n = 27 (71%); PR, n = 6 (16%); and non-remission, n = 5 (13%). The cumulative ratio of PR and FR increased during the first 5-6 years, and gradually reached a plateau at around 10 years. More than 10 years after the onset, one patient eventually achieved FR, and one patient died. Seven patients were rehospitalized and two died due to suicide during the entire follow up. On multivariate analysis, family disorders/problems rating score was a significant predictor of PR and FR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study included hospitalized ANR children aged ≤15 years, the youngest cohort ever reported. Long-term prognosis is generally favorable, but the mortality rate was 5%. Careful long-term follow up >10 years is needed to evaluate outcome of childhood-onset ANR, and family therapy is important in high-risk patients with family disorders/problems.

A population study of the association between sleep disturbance and suicidal behaviour in people with mental illness

Limited representative research has considered the relationship between sleep disturbance and suicidal behaviour among people with mental illness. We investigated the relationship between sleep disturbance and suicidal behaviour across Part II interview of the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCSR). The associations between sleep disturbance and suicidal behaviour (thoughts, plans and attempts) were investigated using logistic and multinomial logistic regressions and stratified across six mental disorder groups (depression, anxiety, substance use disorders (SUD), eating disorders (ED), bipolar disorders (BD) and early life disorders). From 5701 participants (mean age 43.4 years 58% women), people with any mental disorder experiencing sleep disturbance were at increased odds of suicidal thoughts (odds ratio (OR): 2.5; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.6) and suicidal plans and attempts (OR: 5.7; 95% CI: 2.7, 11.9) adjusting for age, sex and income. People with BD (OR: 8.9; 95 CI: 2.1, 38.1), early life disorders (OR 6.98, 95% ci 2.48, 19.67), depression (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.14, 3.11), anxiety (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.28, 2.85) and SUD (2.60, 95% CI 1.23, 5.49) but not ED, were at increased odds of suicidal thoughts in the presence of sleep disturbance. Adjusting for anti-depressant intake attenuated the effect sizes by up to 20% but the associations remained significant. In conclusion, sleep disturbance is a potential risk factor for suicidal behaviours in people with mental illness. Monitoring and management of sleep disturbance in clinical practice might be an important strategy to mitigate suicidal behaviours in people with mental illness.

Suicide in Childhood

Suicide by children younger than 11 is a sad and tragic occurrence. Indeed, suicidal ideation and behavior has been documented in children as young as ages 3 to 7. The current overview provides a discussion of the frequency of suicide in children and associated predisposing conditions, such as depression and abuse. In response to these tragic events, nursing interventions are also proposed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(10), 27-30.].

Suicide ideation and attempts and bullying in children and adolescents: psychiatric and general population samples

BACKGROUND

Studies of the relationship between bullying and suicide behavior yield mixed results.

AIMS

This is the first study comparing frequencies of suicide behavior in four bullying groups (bully, victim, bully/victim, and neither) in two large psychiatric and community samples of young children and adolescents.

METHOD

Maternal ratings of bullying and suicide ideation and attempts were analyzed for 1,291 children with psychiatric disorders and 658 children in the general population 6-18 years old.

RESULTS

For both the psychiatric and community samples, suicide ideation and attempt scores for bully/victims were significantly higher than for victims only and for neither bullies nor victims. Differences between victims only and neither victims nor bullies were nonsignificant. Controlling for sadness and conduct problems, suicide behavior did not differ between the four bullying groups. All children with suicide attempts had a comorbid psychiatric disorder, as did all but two children with suicide ideation.

CONCLUSION

Although the contribution of bullying per se to suicide behavior independent of sadness and conduct problems is small, bullying has obvious negative psychological consequences that make intervention imperative. Interventions need to focus on the psychopathology associated with being a victim and/or perpetrator of bullying in order to reduce suicide behavior.

Suicidal behavior and self-harm in girls with eating disorders

Comorbid psychopathology, including self-harm and suicidal behavior, is often found in patients with eating disorders. To better understand the reasons for high comorbid psychopathology among eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal behavior, we examined this comorbidity in female patients hospitalized with eating disorders. In a sample of 47 girls admitted for anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, 72% had depressive symptoms, 11% had obsessive-compulsive symptoms, 9% had anxiety disorder, 23% had substance abuse, and 57% had disharmonious personality development. Suicidal behavior was present in 60% of patients and self-harm in 49%. Association was found between self-harm and suicidality. In all, 68% of girls with eating disorders had a positive score in the Children's Depression Inventory questionnaire and 62% of them in the Child Adolescent Suicidal Potential Index questionnaire. Clinical examination of girls with eating disorders should focus on identifying the risk of suicidal behavior and self-harm.

Suicide Ideation and Attempts and Bullying in Children and Adolescents

Background: Studies of the relationship between bullying and suicide behavior yield mixed results. Aims: This is the first study comparing frequencies of suicide behavior in four bullying groups (bully, victim, bully/victim, and neither) in two large psychiatric and community samples of young children and adolescents. Method: Maternal ratings of bullying and suicide ideation and attempts were analyzed for 1,291 children with psychiatric disorders and 658 children in the general population 6–18 years old. Results: For both the psychiatric and community samples, suicide ideation and attempt scores for bully/victims were significantly higher than for victims only and for neither bullies nor victims. Differences between victims only and neither victims nor bullies were nonsignificant. Controlling for sadness and conduct problems, suicide behavior did not differ between the four bullying groups. All children with suicide attempts had a comorbid psychiatric disorder, as did all but two children with suicide ideation. Conclusion: Although the contribution of bullying per se to suicide behavior independent of sadness and conduct problems is small, bullying has obvious negative psychological consequences that make intervention imperative. Interventions need to focus on the psychopathology associated with being a victim and/or perpetrator of bullying in order to reduce suicide behavior.