# Longitudinal associations between psychological factors, community integration, and suicide risks among patients with treatment-resistant depression in Vietnam

## TL;DR

The study found that suicide risks among patients with treatment-resistant depression in Vietnam increased after discharge, highlighting the need for ongoing psychological support.

## Contribution

This study longitudinally examines suicide risks in TRD patients in Vietnam, revealing increased risks post-discharge linked to psychological distress and poor community integration.

## Key findings

- Suicide ideation and attempt rates increased from one month to three months post-discharge.
- Poor quality of life and low community integration were modestly associated with higher suicide ideation risks.
- High psychological distress increased the hazard of suicide attempts by 1.13-fold.

## Abstract

To examine longitudinal associations of psychological distress, community integration, suicide ideation, and attempts within 3-month post-discharge period among patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Prospective study design with a 3-month followed-up from the hospital admission through community reintegration. All the 53 patients with TRD were interviewed one week after admission (T0) plus 1-month (T1) and three months (T2) after discharge with a structured questionnaire from October 2021 to September 2022. Descriptive and correlational analysis of the trend and associates of TRD suicide risks were performed.

The results revealed that suicide ideation and attempt rates reduced after inpatient treatment, but increased altogether from T1 to T2 in the community. Nearly half of the participants (46%) reported recent suicide ideation, and 13.46% attempted suicide at T2. Perceiving poor quality of life and a low level of community integration performance were associated modestly with suicide ideation, with 1.02- and 1.10-times higher risk, respectively. On the other hand, a high level of psychological distress increased the hazard of suicide attempts by 1.13-fold.

Our findings suggest future suicide prevention strategies and the importance of regular assessment of inpatients and outpatients for psychological distress to identify and engage high-risk individuals.