P0181 - Prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation and behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Introduction:

Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been historically considered at low risk for suicide, but recent studies are controversial.

Objectives:

To study the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts in OCD patients and to compare those with and without suicidality according to demographic and clinical variables.

Method:

Fifty outpatients with primary OCD (DSM-IV) from a Brazilian public university were evaluated. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used to assess OCD severity, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to evaluate depressive symptoms and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to assess alcohol problems.

Results:

All patients had obsessions and compulsions, 64% a chronic fluctuating course and 62% a minimum Y-BOCS score of 16. Half of them presented relevant depressive symptoms, but only three had a history of alcohol problems. Seventy percent reported having already thought that life was not worth living, 56% had wished to be dead, 46% had had suicidal ideation, 20% had made suicidal plans and five (10%) had already attempted suicide. Current suicidal ideation occurred in 14% of the sample and was significantly associated with a Y-BOCS score of 16 or more. Previous suicidal thoughts were associated with a BDI score of 19 or more.

Conclusions:

Suicidality has been underestimated in OCD and should be investigated in every patient, so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken.