Cara Katz1, Leslie E Roos2, Yunqiao Wang1,2, James Bolton1,2,3, Stephen W Hwang4, Laurence Y Katz1, Jimmy Bourque5, Carol E Adair6,7, Julian M Somers8, Jitender Sareen1,2,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 3. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 4. Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Faculty of Education, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. 7. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. 8. Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Suicide is a leading cause of death, yet the accurate prediction of suicidal behavior is an elusive target for clinicians and researchers. The current paper examines the predictive validity of the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Suicidality subscale for suicide attempts (SAs) for a homeless population with mental illness. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred and fifty-five homeless individuals with mental illness across five Canadian cities enrolled in the At Home/Chez Soi Housing First trial interviewed at baseline using the MINI Suicidality subscale with 2-year follow-up of self-reported SAs. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred and twenty-one participants were included in the analysis. High rates of mood and substance use disorders were present (56.5% and 67.4%, respectively). The mean MINI Suicidality subscale score was 7.71. Among 1,700 participants with follow-up data, 11.4% reported a SA over the 2-year study period. MINI Suicidality subscale scores were predictive of SAs (AUC ≥ 0.70) among those with and without a history of SAs, even among those with missing answers. A positive predictive value of 0.20 and a negative predictive value of 0.95 were demonstrated, with a relatively low number needed to assess of 4.5-5. CONCLUSION: The MINI Suicidal subscale shows promise as an easy to use and accurate suicide risk prediction tool among homeless individuals with mental illness.
OBJECTIVE: Suicide is a leading cause of death, yet the accurate prediction of suicidal behavior is an elusive target for clinicians and researchers. The current paper examines the predictive validity of the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Suicidality subscale for suicide attempts (SAs) for a homeless population with mental illness. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred and fifty-five homeless individuals with mental illness across five Canadian cities enrolled in the At Home/Chez Soi Housing First trial interviewed at baseline using the MINI Suicidality subscale with 2-year follow-up of self-reported SAs. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred and twenty-one participants were included in the analysis. High rates of mood and substance use disorders were present (56.5% and 67.4%, respectively). The mean MINI Suicidality subscale score was 7.71. Among 1,700 participants with follow-up data, 11.4% reported a SA over the 2-year study period. MINI Suicidality subscale scores were predictive of SAs (AUC ≥ 0.70) among those with and without a history of SAs, even among those with missing answers. A positive predictive value of 0.20 and a negative predictive value of 0.95 were demonstrated, with a relatively low number needed to assess of 4.5-5. CONCLUSION: The MINI Suicidal subscale shows promise as an easy to use and accurate suicide risk prediction tool among homeless individuals with mental illness.