Suicidality and panic in emergency department patients with unexplained chest pain

ObjectivesThe present study aims to document the problem of suicidality in emergency department (ED) patients with unexplained chest pain and to assess the strength and independence of the relationship between panic and suicidal ideation (SI) in this population.MethodThis cross-sectional study included 572 ED patients with unexplained chest pain. SI, history of suicide attempts, history of SI and the presence of thoughts about how to commit suicide were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the relationship between current SI and panic.ResultsApproximately 15% [95% confidence interval (CI), 12%–18%] of patients reported current SI, and 33% (95% CI, 29%–37%) reported history of SI. Nearly 19% (95% CI, 16%–22%) of patients had thought about a method to commit suicide, and 33% (95% CI, 29%–37%) had a history of a suicide attempt. Panic attacks were diagnosed in 42% (95% CI, 38%–46%) of patients, and 45% (95% CI, 39%–51%) of those had panic disorder. Panic increased the crude likelihood of current SI [odds ratio (OR)=2.53, 1.4–4.5]. This increase in SI risk remained significant after controlling for confounding factors (OR=1.70, 95% CI, 1.0–2.9).ConclusionsSuicidality and SI were common and often severe in our sample of ED patients with unexplained chest pain.