Nicotine Inhalation and Suicide: Clinical Correlates and Behavioral Mechanisms

The association between cannabis use and suicidal intensity in psychiatric inpatients

BACKGROUND

Over the past 15 years, most states have legalized the medical use of cannabis. Since then, daily use nearly tripled while the number of adults dying by suicide increased by 31%. Key studies found a greater suicidal intensity associated with cannabis use (CU) in adolescents. Adult associations have been understudied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between CU and suicidal ideation intensity (SII) in adults.

METHODS

We examined 530 psychiatric inpatients ages 18 and above using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test for CU. We conducted a path analysis model of moderating and mediating factors, including psychiatric comorbidity, emotional regulation, psychological flexibility, and polygenic risk scores for externalization, CU, and suicide.

RESULTS

Sixteen percent of the participants had no suicidality, 34.3% reported suicidal ideation, and 49.6% reported a prior suicide attempt. CU was found to be associated with lower risk of SII for females (p = .026) but not for males (p = .525), and increased CU was associated with greater risk of SII with lower psychological flexibility in males (p = .049) but not females (p = .628).

CONCLUSIONS

CU was associated with increased SII among psychiatric inpatients, with sex-specific patterns and potential mediation by psychological flexibility. Further studies exploring specific amounts, duration of use, and time frames of CU during adolescence and adulthood may provide insights into its associated risks, especially as legalization expands.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

Patterns of past and current CU may increase understanding of mechanisms predicting increased SII in adult male psychiatric inpatients.

Tobacco and alcohol use; suicide ideation, plan, and attempt among adolescents; and the role of legal purchase age restrictions: a pooled population-based analysis from 58 countries

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the potential independent and interactive associations of tobacco and alcohol use with suicide ideation, plan, and attempt among adolescents, and the role of legal purchase age restrictions among these associations.

METHODS

A pooled cross-sectional analysis was conducted with data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) (2013-2019), the US Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) (2021), and a Chinese school-based health survey (2017). Self-reported use of tobacco and alcohol during the past 30 days, and suicide ideation, plan, and attempt during the past year, were collected from questionnaires. Country-level purchase age restrictions on tobacco and alcohol products were obtained from official government websites.

RESULTS

Among the 211,022 adolescents from 58 countries, 46.7% were boys. Compared with adolescents who used neither tobacco nor alcohol, those who used both tobacco and alcohol had the highest odds of suicide ideation (boys: 2.42 [95% CI: 2.25-2.61]; girls: 3.19 [95% CI: 2.98-3.40]; P difference < 0.001), suicide plan (boys: 2.39 [95% CI: 2.21-2.58]; girls: 3.33 [95% CI: 3.11-3.57]; P difference < 0.001), and suicide attempt (boys: 3.24 [95% CI: 3.00-3.51]; girls: 4.03 [95% CI: 3.75-4.33]; P difference < 0.001). In countries with higher suicide plan prevalence, boys who use tobacco and who live in countries with tobacco purchase age restrictions had lower odds of suicide plan (1.86 [95% CI: 1.64-2.12]) than those who lived in countries without restrictions (2.81 [95% CI: 2.32-3.42]). Similarly, girls who use tobacco and who live in countries with legal age purchase restrictions displayed lower odds of suicide plan (2.20 [95% CI: 1.98-2.45]) compared to those who live in countries without restrictions (4.61 [95% CI: 3.65-5.83]). However, our study revealed no subgroup differences in whether countries have legal tobacco or alcohol purchase age restrictions in association with suicide ideation, plan, and attempt risk in countries with a lower prevalence of suicide behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco and alcohol consumption are strongly associated with the risk of suicide behaviors among adolescents, particularly among girls. Country-level tobacco control strategies may have the potential to reduce risks of suicide behaviors associated with tobacco use among adolescents.

Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes, Impulsivity, and Anxiety: Influences on Suicidal Ideation Among Youth and Young Adults in Texas

INTRODUCTION

Cigarette use and smoking intensity increase risk of suicidal ideation. Less is known about e-cigarette use. Here we examine direct influences of cigarette versus e-cigarette use on suicidal ideation among 16- to 23-year-olds in Texas.

AIMS AND METHODS

Since 2019, the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance Study collected data on suicidal ideation every 6 months covering the previous 2 weeks. Youths answering that they had "thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself" on more than 2 of 14 days were categorized as having suicidal ideation. Generalized linear mixed-effects logistic regressions examined the influence of ever and past 30-day (P30D) use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, impulsivity, and anxiety on suicidal ideation, controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and grade in school. Interactions between ever and P30D use of both products and (a) impulsivity and (b) gender were examined.

RESULTS

Of the 2329 participants, 29.1% reported ever and 6.5% reported P30D cigarette use, 48.2% reported ever and 11.6% reported P30D e-cigarette use, and 18.5% reported suicidal ideation. Ever cigarette use among females (aOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.36 to 2.46), P30D e-cigarette use (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.68), and P30D cigarette use (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.05) were independently associated with higher risk for suicidal ideation after adjusting for covariates. Impulsivity and anxiety directly increased risk of suicidal ideation regardless of product type used. Hispanic youth had higher risk of suicidal ideation than White youth, while higher levels of SES were protective.

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette/e-cigarette use, as well as impulsivity and anxiety, directly increase the risk of suicidal ideation.

IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should ask young adults with a history of tobacco use, anxiety, or impulsive behavior about suicidal ideation. Nicotine prevention and cessation programs might be more effective if they simultaneously target substance use and mental health. Culturally appropriate support is needed for ethnic and racial minority youth and young adults in school, college, and at work. When evaluating and understanding risk, the role of multiple social identities (such as minority status, gender, and SES) is important.

Association of conventional and electronic cigarette use with suicidality in Chinese adolescents: The moderating effect of sex and school type

BACKGROUND

To estimate the prevalence of lifetime e-cigarette use and explore the association between lifetime conventional and electronic cigarette use with suicidality among Chinese adolescents, focusing on sex and school-type differences.

METHODS

A total of 22,509 students from 432 classes in 80 schools were recruited in Guangdong Province using a multistage, stratified cluster, random sampling method in 2021. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect information. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed and stratification analysis was conducted. All analyses were weighted and adjusted for the complex survey design.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of lifetime e-cigarette use among adolescents in Guangdong Province was 8.7 % (4.3 % were dual users and 4.4 % were e-cigarette-only users) and 2.6 % were conventional-cigarette-only users. Lifetime e-cigarette-only users (AOR [Adjusted OR] =1.46, 95 % CI = 1.21-1.76), conventional-cigarette-only users (AOR = 1.97, 95 % CI = 1.58-2.46) and dual users (AOR = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.38-2.02) were at a higher risk of suicidal ideation than non-users. Lifetime e-cigarette-only users (AOR = 2.03, 95 % CI = 1.53-2.70), conventional-cigarette-only users (AOR = 1.97, 95 % CI = 1.42-2.73), and dual users (AOR = 2.76, 95 % CI = 2.10-3.61) had a significantly higher risk of suicide attempts than non-users. After further analysis stratified by sex and school type, the associations of lifetime cigarette use patterns with suicidality slightly varied.

LIMITATION

The cross-sectional study design and self-report information.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of e-cigarettes among Chinese adolescents is concerning. Lifetime conventional and e-cigarette use were associated with suicidality among Chinese adolescents, with sex and school type moderating these associations. Targeted measures to restrict cigarette use, including new tobacco product (e-cigarette) use, among adolescents are warranted.

Association of electronic cigarette use and suicidal behaviors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The proliferation of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has presented new challenges in public health, particularly among adolescents and young adults. While marketed as safer than tobacco and as cessation aids, e-cigarettes have raised concerns about their long-term health and psychosocial impacts, including potential links to increased suicidal behaviors. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between e-cigarette use and suicidal behaviors by conducting a systematic review of the current literature.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE for studies up to March 10, 2024, examining the relationship between e-cigarette use and suicidal behaviors. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, longitudinal, retrospective, prospective, and case-control designs. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs). Newcastle Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of studies. R software (V 4.3) was used to perform the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Our analysis included fourteen studies, predominantly from the US and Korea, with participants ranging from 1,151 to 255,887. The meta-analysis identified a significant association between e-cigarette use and an increased risk of suicidal ideation (OR = 1.489, 95% CI: 1.357 to 1.621), suicide attempts (OR = 2.497, 95% CI: 1.999 to 3.996), and suicidal planning (OR = 2.310, 95% CI: 1.810 to 2.810). Heterogeneity was noted among the studies.

CONCLUSION

E-cigarette use is significantly associated with the risk of suicidal behaviors, particularly among adolescents. The findings underscore the necessity for caution in endorsing e-cigarettes as a safer smoking alternative and call for more extensive research to understand the underlying mechanisms. Public health strategies should be developed to address and mitigate the risks of suicidal behaviors among e-cigarette users.

Risk Factors for Self-Harm Ideation Among Persons Treated With Opioids for Chronic Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pain is a significant health concern that adversely affects all aspects of life, including emotional well-being. Opioids are prescribed for the management of refractory, severe chronic pain, although they have been associated with adverse effects, including addiction and overdose. The aim of this study was to examine factors that predict thoughts of self-harm among adults with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven hundred sixty-five (N=765) persons with opioid-treated chronic lower back pain completed the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) and other validated questionnaires as part of a larger study. Response to 1 question from the COMM ("How often have you seriously thought about hurting yourself?") was used to assess suicide risk on a 5-point scale (0=never; 4=very often).

RESULTS

Participants were categorized into 3 groups according to their responses to the self-harm question: never (N=628; 82.1%), seldom or sometimes (N=74; 9.7%), and often or very often (N=63; 8.2%). Multivariate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) analyses indicated that reports of alcohol or drug overuse within the past month (aOR=1.41,[95% CI 1.11-1.78]), posttraumatic stress (PTSD; aOR=1.24,[1.07 to 1.44]), pain catastrophizing (aOR=1.03,[1.01 to 1.05]), not loving oneself (aOR=0.99,[.98-1.00]) and poor perceived mental health (aOR=0.94,[.92 to 97]) were most associated with thoughts of self-harm. Importantly, the ideation frequency of self-harm was highest among individuals treated with higher daily doses of opioids.

DISCUSSION

These results support the need for continued monitoring of adults treated with opioids for chronic pain, particularly among those on high-dose opioids who present with increased negative affect and concerns of substance misuse.

Emotional self-regulation, impulsivity, 5-HTTLPR and tobacco use behavior among psychiatric inpatients

BACKGROUND

While the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene, 5-HTTLPR, interacts with the social environment to influence both emotional self-regulation and smoking behavior, less is known about interactions between emotional self-regulation and 5-HTTLPR or their joint influence on tobacco use. Here, we examined such interactions among psychiatric inpatients, the population with the highest rates of smoking.

METHODS

Participants (506 adults) were psychiatric inpatients at The Menninger Clinic in Houston TX between 2012 and 16. Most were white (89%), male (55%), with a mean age of 32.3 years. Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS) at admission. We examined interactions with smoking among three DERS subscales and 5-HTTLPR, controlling for sex, race and age.

RESULTS

Smoking rates were higher among those with the 5-HTTPLR L'L' genotype compared to peers carrying an S' allele (47.9% vs. 37.4%, respectively). Among S' allele carrying participants, impulse control difficulties (OR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.03-1.14) and lack of emotion clarity (OR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.00-1.11) increased risk for ever using tobacco, while accessing more ways to regulate emotion (OR = 0.95; 95%CI: 0.92-0.99) offered a protective effect against ever using tobacco. Neither demographic nor DERS covariates were associated with using tobacco among the L'L' group.

LIMITATIONS

This ethnically homogenous sample limits generalizability and using a binary outcome can over-estimate a gene environment interaction effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Emotional self-regulation exerts a stronger influence on using tobacco among carriers of an S' allele of 5-HTTLPR than peers with the L'L' genotype. Promoting emotional self-regulatory skills may have benefits for preventing tobacco use.

Use of electronic vaping products and mental health among adolescent high school students in the United States: The moderating effect of sex

Although studies have investigated the association between conventional tobacco smoking and mental health outcomes among adolescents in the United States, few studies have examined the association between electronic vaping products (EVPs) and mental health among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association between EVPs use, symptoms of depression, and suicidal behaviors among adolescents. Data were pooled from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 14,285 adolescents (50.3% female) was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The outcome variables investigated were symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempts, and the main explanatory variable was EVPs use. Of the 14,285 adolescents, 22.2%, 19.2%, and 58.8% were current, former and never users of EVPs, respectively. Controlling for other factors, current users of EVPs were significantly more likely to report having symptoms of depression (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.58-2.09), having suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.30-1.86), making a suicide plan (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.34-1.97), or attempting suicide (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.41-2.18) when compared to never users of EVPs. Gender moderated the association between EVPs use, symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide plan. Racial minority identity, sexual minority identity, sexual violence victimization, victim of school and cyberbullying, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking were all significantly associated with depression and suicidal behaviors. Study findings support the association between EVPs use and adolescent mental health. Future studies that employ longitudinal designs may offer more insight into the mechanisms underlying this association.

Prevalence of tobacco smoking in a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo and its correlation to other psychiatric disorders

Background

Tobacco smoking is considered currently a global public health concern among youth especially school students. There is a scarcity of data about the impact of this global phenomenon in Middle Eastern countries. This study assesses the prevalence of tobacco smoking, including conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes, and water pipe and its sociodemographic and psychiatric correlates among a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo, Egypt.

Results

A convenient sample of 391 Egyptian general secondary students from different areas of Greater Cairo were assessed using the Socioeconomic scale, Fagerstrom Test For Nicotine Dependence, The Lebanon Water pipe Dependence Scale, questionnaire for electronic cigarette use, Barratt impulsivity scale 11, and The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. 12.8% (n = 50) were smokers. There is a significant relation between family history of smoking and substance use and smoking and significant relation between smoking, impulsivity, and mood symptoms.

Conclusions

Prevalence of tobacco smoking in Egyptian adolescents was 12.8% with significant relation between smoking and impulsivity and mood symptoms.