Review Question - QID 108560

This is an elderly woman presenting with suicidal ideation. While she has many risk factors for suicide completion, personal history of a previous attempt is the most significant.

Risk factors for completed suicide attempt can be remembered with the mnemonic: SAD PERSONS. This stands for
S: sex, males more frequently complete suicide than females
A: age, teenagers and elderly individuals
D: history of depression
P: previous history of suicide attempt
E: ethanol or illicit drug use
R: rational thought lost
S: sickness, taking three or more prescription medications
O: organized suicide plan
N: no spouse
S: social support poor.

While women attempt suicide more often, men more frequently succeed. The most significant risk factor for completed suicide is previous attempt at suicide. Patients who have previously attempted suicide have a 5-6 times greater risk of attempting suicide again.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: While women attempt suicide twice as often as men, males complete suicide three times as often as females. This may be because men often choose more lethal methods when attempting suicide.

Answer 2: Elderly age is a risk factor for suicide. The highest risk group is white men above the age of 85 years.

Answer 3: Being single is a risk factor for suicide, but previous attempt is the greatest risk factor. Any form of solitary living is considered a risk factor for suicide.

Answer 4: Having a means for suicide is a risk factor, but previous attempt is the greatest risk factor. 57% of suicides are performed in households with access to a gun.

Bullet Summary:
The mnemonic SAD PERSONS is used to describe the risk factors for completed suicide. Of these, previous attempt is the greatest risk factor.