Does the Suicide Assessment Scale predict risk of repetition? A prospective study of suicide attempters at a hospital emergency department

PurposeTo determine whether the modified version of the Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS) can be utilised to predict risk of repeat suicidal behaviour.Subjects and methodsHundred and sixty-five patients aged 18 to 68 years who were admitted to emergency wards after a suicide attempt were interviewed. Follow-up interviews (n = 96) were carried out after 2 months. Associations between SUAS scores and repeat attempt (fatal/non-fatal) during the following 3 years were analysed and the instrument's ability to predict repetition was assessed.ResultsHigh SUAS score (>30) was associated with repetition. The ability of the SUAS to correctly predict repeat suicidal behaviour in the entire study group was low (AUC = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.56–0.74) but better for those (n = 42) who reported ongoing psychiatric treatment at follow-up (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI 0.63–0.94). Among the latter group, all with baseline SUAS scores >30 made repeats.ConclusionThe modified SUAS performed well as a screening instrument in psychiatric patients.