Prevalence and correlates of suicide attempt among Chinese individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment for heroin dependence

Abstract

To date, there have been very limited studies regarding the clinical epidemiology of attempted suicide in Chinese individuals with heroin-dependence. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of suicide attempt in Chinese individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment for heroin dependence. Demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data of 603 methadone-maintained patients with heroin dependence were collected with a standardized self-administered questionnaire. The presence of suicide attempt and antisocial personality disorder was assessed by using a single question and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0. The one-month and lifetime prevalence rates of suicide attempt were 9.5% and 34.2%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, lifetime suicide attempt was significantly associated with female gender (OR = 2.81), being 20–39 years old (OR = 2.73), an education level of primary school or lower (OR = 2.07), poor economic status (OR = 3.06), injecting heroin before methadone maintenance treatment (OR = 2.92), depressive symptoms (OR = 3.46), anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.88), and antisocial personality disorder (OR = 2.85). Suicide attempt is very prevalent among Chinese individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment for heroin dependence. Services for patients with heroin dependence in methadone maintenance treatment clinics in China should include psychosocial supports, periodic screening for suicide attempt and other suicidal behaviors and, when needed, psychiatric treatment and crisis intervention.

Relationship Between Buddhist Belief and Suicide Risk in Chinese Persons Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Therapy for Heroin Dependence

“…This analytic approach was used to adjust for the potential confounding effects of demographic and clinical variables and depression. Because these demographic and clinical variables and depression have been reported to be factors associated with or risk factors of suicidal behaviors among general population and patients with heroin dependence (29,(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46), they were included as covariates in the above adjustment analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to quantify associations between factors and the increase in suicide risk.…”

“…In China, heroin use remains a public health concern (24), and in 2016, there were 162,000 Chinese individuals receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) for heroin dependence (25). These patients with heroin dependence, although they are undergoing MMT, are still at higher risk of completed suicide and other non-fatal suicidal behaviors (26)(27)(28)(29). Some studies have reported a variety of factors associated with suicidal behaviors in this patient population, including female gender, a low level of education, inadequate social support, and depression (26)(27)(28).…”

Longitudinal Patterns of Suicidality Among Heroin Users in Johannesburg, South Africa: A Need for Suicide Screening and Intervention

“…The most common causes of death among heroin users are drug overdose, medical comorbidities, trauma, and suicide ( 1 ). Three to 35% of deaths can be attributed to suicide among heroin users ( 1 – 6 ). In fact, death due to suicide had the highest 1 standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all-cause mortality among heroin users in Taiwan ( 7 ).…”

Suicidal attempt by disinfectant solution ingestion in case of opioid dependence

“…People that use heroin and other opioids are more likely to die prematurely, with suicide accounting for a significant portion of the overall increased mortality reported among opioid users. 1 A new suicide trend known as "detergent suicides" has been recorded in industrialized countries. The approach was initially detailed in Japan in 2007 and has become prevalent in the United States and other countries.…”