Abstract
Background
Patients with suicide attempts(SA) are at increased risk of developing anxiety symptoms, especially those with major depressive disorder (MDD). Few studies have investigated the independent effects of anxiety symptoms on comorbid suicide attempts in patients with MDD. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and associated variables in first episode and untreated (FEUT) MDD patients with comorbid suicide attempts at different ages of onset.
Methods
We recruited 1718 patients with FEUT MDD in this study. We collected demographical and clinical data, and measured lipid, thyroid function, and blood glucose levels. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive subscale were used to assess depression, anxiety, illness severity, and psychotic symptoms, respectively.
Results
The prevalence of suicide attempts among MDD patients was 20.1% (346/1718). Among MDD patients with suicide attempts(MDD-SA), the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 31.4% (75/239) in those with early adult onset and 40.2% (43/107) in those with mid-adult onset. Independent factors associated with anxiety symptoms in early adult onset MDD-SA patients were as follows: marital status (B=0.966, P<0.05, OR=2.629), HAMD score (B=0.213, P<0.05, OR=1.238), and positive subscale score (B=0.201, P<0.01, OR=1.223). Independent factors associated with anxiety symptoms in mid-adult onset MDD-SA patients were as follows: HAMD score (B=0.374, P<0.01, OR=1.454), and positive subscale score (B=0.142, P<0.01, OR=1.153).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that MDD-SA patients are at higher risk for anxiety symptoms. In MDD-SA patients, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was similar in the early and mid-adult onset subgroups, but the factors associated with anxiety symptoms differed in these two subgroups.