Evaluation of suicidal symptoms in adult depressive in-patients at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The data on the frequency of the suicidal symptoms in depressed patients varies widely. The reported rates generally show that about 40% - 70% of patients with affective disorders show suicidal symptoms, about 15% of depressed patients end up their lives by suicide and more than 50% of patients who attempt suicide are also more likely to have a severe and major type of depression. The information was collected about the severity of depressive illness and the reporting of suicidal symptoms in the 80 ICD-10 diagnosed depressive in-patients. Rating was done as per Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and details of suicidal symptoms were collected for suicidal wishes, ideation, gesture and attempts. Correlation of suicidal symptoms with other variable was calculated with Spearman correlation coefficient. Thirty-two point five percent of the male patients and 67.5% of the female patients reported suicidal symptoms. Female patients showed more suicidal ideation, wishes and attempts as compared to the male group. Positive and significant correlation was observed between suicidal symptoms, total HDRS Score and duration of the illness. Age showed negative correlation with suicidal symptoms.