Suicidal Ideations in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Background: There are many controversies about the frequency and burden of suicidality in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Objectives: This study was done to determine the prevalence and risk factors of current suicidal ideations in patients with OCD. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 258 outpatients with OCD (Yale-Brawn Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Y-BOCS ≥16) referring to two psychiatry clinics in Guilan, Iran, from March 2018 to September 2019 were evaluated. Suicidality score of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) ≥4 was considered for current suicidal ideation at the first visit. Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) was used to evaluate the intensity of suicidal ideations a week before evaluation. Simple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze data by SPSS v. 20. Results: Current suicidal ideation was found in 22.1% of patients. The previous history of suicide attempt (BPRS, P<0.0001 and BSSI, P<0.0001), a history of OCD in first-degree relatives (BPRS: P=0.004 and BSSI: P=0.010), a history of suicide attempts in first-degree relatives (BPRS: P=0.013 and BSSI: P<0.0001), comorbid diagnosis of depressive or body dysmorphic disorder (BPRS, P<0.0001 and BSSI, P<0.0001), and higher Y-BOCS score (BPRS: P=0.043 and BSSI: P<0.0001) were associated with a higher risk of having suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Suicidal thoughts are high in Iranian patients with OCD at their first visit to psychiatry clinics. The previous suicide history, positive history of OCD and suicide attempts in their first-degree relatives, the severity of OCD, and some comorbid psychological disorders are associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation among OCD patients.

Keywords

• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• suicidal ideation
• suicide
• risk factors