Suicide risk among multiple suicide attempters.

Introduction: A history of suicide attempts represents the strongest predictor of completed suicide. Studies suggested that multiple suicide attempters (MSAs) might present a higher risk of suicide than those who attempted once (SSAs). To date, only a few studies examined the characteristics of MSAs compared to SSAs. Objectives: To assess the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of SSAs, MSAs, and suicidal ideators (SIs) and compare the risk of reattempt. We hypothesized that MSAs might be at higher risk of reattempt compared to the other groups. Methods: The study sample consisted of 153 adult inpatients admitted to the emergency psychiatric unit at Sant'Andrea Hospital in Rome. Patients with suicidal ideation or attempted suicide were included. We divided them into three groups using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (58 SSAs, 65 MSAs, 30 SIs). Sociodemographic and clinical features were collected through interviews and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Continuous variables were compared using Student's t-test and Kruskal Wallis test, categorical variables through X2-test. Results: The components "future expectations" and "loss of motivation" at the BHS were significantly higher in SAs than in SIs (p=0,021; 0,006). MSAs, compared to SSAs, presented more lethal than suicide attempts (2.3±0.9 vs. 1.5±1.1, p<0.001). Conclusions: According to our preliminary findings, having attempted suicide is associated with lower hope and motivation towards the future and increased lethality of the subsequent attempts. Our results confirmed that MSAs are at higher risk of reattempting suicide using a more lethal method than SSAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]