Clinical characteristics related to suicidal behaviors among outpatients with opioid use disorder: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze clinical features and factors related to lifetime suicidal behaviors (SBs) among outpatients with opioid use disorder (OUD).

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Outpatient center for addiction treatment.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with OUD (n = 329) who were seeking a new treatment process between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were evaluated with an ad hoc questionnaire and the European Addiction Severity Index.

RESULTS

Lifetime suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA) were reported by 54.4 and 35.0 percent of participants, respectively. Lifetime SI and SA were associated with several clinical factors including any type of lifetime abuse, the number of lifetime substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder, and the number of psychiatric comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the importance of systematic evaluation and intervention for SB among OUD patients, warranting attention in suicide prevention strategies. Further specific longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to enhance understanding of this issue.