Prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in patients addicted to psychoactive substances

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between drug addiction and suicide is associated in its function as a causal and precipitating agent of suicidal behavior. Objective: To determine the prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in patients addicted to psychoactive substances. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was developed. It worked with the universe, made up of addicted patients treated at the Central Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay" from 2016 to 2019. The variables studied were: Suicidal behavior, executive function, age, sex, clinical characteristics of consumption, substance consumed, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. Results: 257 patients with consumption, mainly of alcohol and marijuana, with an average age of 34 years were studied; the male sex predominated (89 %). Suicidal behavior was present in 53.7 % (n= 138). The main prognostic factors in the patients were: Subjective need for consumption (odd ratio-OR= 3.4), depression (OR= 3.3), cognitive impairment (OR= 3.0), being 30 years of age or less at the start of the consumption (OR= 2.6), family history of addiction (OR= 2.3), 9th grade school level (OR= 2.0), relapse before 6 months of treatment (OR= 1.1), time consuming 20 years or less (OR= 3.0) and consuming drugs other than alcohol (OR= 2.1). Conclusions: The main prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in the addicted patients studied are: the subjective need for consumption or craving, depression and cognitive impairment.

Keywords

• factores pronósticos
• suicidio
• trastornos relacionados con sustancias.