Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Ideation among Psycho-Oncology Outpatients.

Purpose: The characteristics of suicidal ideation among psycho-oncology outpatients remain unexplored. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation among patients in a psycho-oncology outpatient clinic.

Materials and methods: The prevalence of suicidal ideation during the previous 2 weeks among 545 psycho-oncology outpatients aged 80 years or below was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item 9. Descriptive analyses, including the prevalence of suicidal ideation, were performed. After multiple imputation, multivariable logistic regression was performed using demographic and clinical variables and functional (the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) and emotional status (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the distress thermometer).

Results: There were 252 (46.2%) suicidal ideators. After adjusting for sex and age, active disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.708, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.049-2.780], lower levels of physical (OR=0.948, 95% CI=0.905-0.992) and emotional well-being (OR=0.925, 95% CI=0.875-0.978), and higher degrees of depressive symptoms (OR=1.126, 95% CI=1.036-1.224) and psychological distress (OR=1.201, 95% CI=1.071-1.347) were associated with suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: Approximately half of the psycho-oncology outpatients experienced suicidal ideation, emphasizing the importance of identifying and understanding the risk factors of suicidal ideation specific to this group. For those who are under active cancer treatment, show poorer physical and emotional well-being, and report more severe depressive symptoms and psychological distress, a thorough evaluation of suicidal ideation needs to be performed.