[Evaluation of BIZI, a new Spanish-language online program for community-based suicide preventionAvaliação do BIZI, um novo programa on-line em espanhol para prevenção de suicídio com base na comunidade]. / Evaluación de BIZI, nuevo programa en línea en español para prevenir el suicidio desde la comunidad.

Objective: To evaluate the BIZI program, a Spanish-language gatekeeper training program with a novel online self-learning format that is brief and open-access. It was developed as part of the suicide prevention strategy in Euskadi (Spain) to improve community-based suicide prevention. Methods: A group of experts from different fields created the program and tested its usability in a preliminary phase. A single-group design was used for the evaluation, with repeated measurements (before, immediately after, and after three months). Online questionnaires were used to evaluate the program's impact on core competencies for gatekeepers, as well as adherence to content and user satisfaction. Community agents (educators and social workers, among others) who responded to an invitation sent by regional public health coordinators were included in the study. Results: In total, 728 people accessed the training, and 86% completed it; 569 people completed the assessment (81.2% women, mean age 41.4 years). The core gatekeeper competencies of attitude, self-efficacy, and knowledge improved significantly, and improvement was sustained ≥3 months in a subsample (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: The results are promising and suggest that BIZI is useful in improving the capacity and willingness of community agents to identify people at risk and refer them to specialized resources. Its novel format gives it important advantages over other more common gatekeeper training programs, facilitating its dissemination in low-resource environments. It is the first program of its kind whose effectiveness has been demonstrated and also the first available in Spanish.

Objetivo: Avaliar o Programa BIZI, um programa de capacitação de gatekeepers em espanhol com um formato inovador on-line autoinstrucional, breve e de livre acesso, desenvolvido como parte da estratégia de prevenção de suicídio em Euskadi (Espanha) para melhorar a prevenção de suicídio em ambientes comunitários. Métodos: O programa foi desenvolvido por um grupo multidisciplinar de especialistas, e sua usabilidade testada em uma fase preliminar. Para a avaliação, foi utilizado um delineamento de grupo único e medidas repetidas (antes, imediatamente após e aos três meses). Foram utilizados questionários on-line para avaliar o impacto sobre as competências básicas do gatekeeper, a adesão ao conteúdo e a satisfação. Fizeram parte do estudo os agentes comunitários (educadores e assistentes sociais, entre outros) que responderam a um convite enviado pelos coordenadores de saúde pública da comarca. Resultados: O programa de capacitação foi acessado por 728 pessoas e concluído por 86% delas. Um total de 569 pessoas concluiu a avaliação (81,2% do sexo feminino, idade média de 41,4 anos). As competências básicas do gatekeeper relativas a atitude, autoeficácia e conhecimento melhoraram significativamente, e essa melhoria se manteve em uma subamostra por um período de 3 meses ou mais (P = 0,0001). Conclusões: Os resultados são promissores e indicam a utilidade do BIZI para melhorar a capacidade e a disposição dos agentes comunitários para identificar pessoas em situação de risco e encaminhá-las para recursos especializados. Seu formato inovador confere vantagens importantes em relação a outros programas de gatekeeper mais comuns e facilita sua disseminação em ambientes com poucos recursos. Esse é o primeiro programa desse tipo com eficácia comprovada, além de ser o primeiro disponível em espanhol.

Factors associated with high and low mental well-being in Spanish university students.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies conducted in various nationally representative samples of the general population show that positive mental health is related to social prosperity. However, specific studies in university populations are scarce. In this study, we set out to explore factors associated with mental well-being (MWB) in a representative sample of first-year university students in Spain. METHODS: MWB was assessed with the short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to explore the association between different blocks of factors, including relational, adversity, stress, lifestyle, spiritual, health, and self-perceived health variables with high and low MWB, controlling for sociodemographic and university-related variables. RESULTS: Data from 2082 students (18.6 ± 1.2 years; 56.6 % females) were analysed. Being male, being born in a foreign country, "high" self-perceived support, and "high" self-perceived mental health increased the odds of high MWB. Growing up in the suburbs, stressful experiences, and anxiety disorders reduced the odds of high MWB. Mood and anxiety disorders increased the odds of low MWB. "Middle" self-perceived support, sleeping ≥8 h per day, and "high" self-perceived mental health reduced the odds of low MWB. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships. Data were collected in the 2014-15 academic year using self-reported online surveys. CONCLUSION: The factors associated with high and low MWB do not always mirror each other, so specific plans are needed to successfully address each of the two poles. Interventions and policies targeting these factors for health promotion and disease prevention would improve the MWB of university students.

Evaluación de BIZI, nuevo programa en línea en español para prevenir el suicidio desde la comunidad / Evaluation of BIZI, a new Spanish-language online program for community- based suicide prevention / Avaliação do BIZI, um novo programa on-line em espanhol para prevenção de suicídio com base na comunidade

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Evaluar el Programa BIZI, un programa de formación de guardianes o gatekeepers (GTK, por su sigla en inglés) en español y con un formato novedoso en línea, autocompletado, breve y de acceso libre desarrollado como parte de la estrategia de prevención de suicidio en Euskadi (España) para mejorar la pre- vención del suicidio desde entornos comunitarios. Métodos. Un grupo multicomponente de expertos creó el programa y probó su usabilidad en una fase pre- liminar. Para la evaluación se utilizó un diseño de grupo único y medidas repetidas (antes, posinmediato y a los tres meses). Se evaluó su impacto en las competencias GTK básicas con cuestionarios en línea, así como la adherencia a los contenidos y satisfacción. Se incluyeron en el estudio agentes comunitarios (educadores y trabajadores sociales, ente otros) que respondieron a una invitación enviada por los coordinadores comar- cales de salud pública. Resultados. En total, 728 personas accedieron a la formación, y 86% la finalizó. Completaron la evaluación 569 personas (81,2% eran mujeres, la edad media fue de 41,4 años). Las competencias GTK básicas de actitud, autoeficacia y conocimiento mejoraron de manera significativa, y la mejora se mantuvo ≥ 3 meses en una submuestra (P = 0,0001). Conclusiones. Los resultados son prometedores y sugieren la utilidad de BIZI para mejorar la capacidad y la disposición de agentes comunitarios para identificar a personas en riesgo y derivarlos a recursos especializa- dos. Su formato novedoso le confiere ventajas importantes respecto de otros formatos GTK más habituales, y facilita su difusión en entornos de escasos recursos. Es el primer programa de este tipo cuya eficacia ha sido demostrada y también el primero disponible en español.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To evaluate the BIZI program, a Spanish-language gatekeeper training program with a novel online self-learning format that is brief and open-access. It was developed as part of the suicide prevention strategy in Euskadi (Spain) to improve community-based suicide prevention. Methods. A group of experts from different fields created the program and tested its usability in a preliminary phase. A single-group design was used for the evaluation, with repeated measurements (before, immediately after, and after three months). Online questionnaires were used to evaluate the program’s impact on core competencies for gatekeepers, as well as adherence to content and user satisfaction. Community agents (educators and social workers, among others) who responded to an invitation sent by regional public health coordinators were included in the study. Results. In total, 728 people accessed the training, and 86% completed it; 569 people completed the assess- ment (81.2% women, mean age 41.4 years). The core gatekeeper competencies of attitude, self-efficacy, and knowledge improved significantly, and improvement was sustained ≥3 months in a subsample (P = 0.0001). Conclusions. The results are promising and suggest that BIZI is useful in improving the capacity and will- ingness of community agents to identify people at risk and refer them to specialized resources. Its novel format gives it important advantages over other more common gatekeeper training programs, facilitating its dissemination in low-resource environments. It is the first program of its kind whose effectiveness has been demonstrated and also the first available in Spanish.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Avaliar o Programa BIZI, um programa de capacitação de gatekeepers em espanhol com um formato inovador on-line autoinstrucional, breve e de livre acesso, desenvolvido como parte da estratégia de prevenção de suicídio em Euskadi (Espanha) para melhorar a prevenção de suicídio em ambientes comunitários. Métodos. O programa foi desenvolvido por um grupo multidisciplinar de especialistas, e sua usabilidade testada em uma fase preliminar. Para a avaliação, foi utilizado um delineamento de grupo único e medidas repetidas (antes, imediatamente após e aos três meses). Foram utilizados questionários on-line para avaliar o impacto sobre as competências básicas do gatekeeper, a adesão ao conteúdo e a satisfação. Fizeram parte do estudo os agentes comunitários (educadores e assistentes sociais, entre outros) que responderam a um convite enviado pelos coordenadores de saúde pública da comarca. Resultados. O programa de capacitação foi acessado por 728 pessoas e concluído por 86% delas. Um total de 569 pessoas concluiu a avaliação (81,2% do sexo feminino, idade média de 41,4 anos). As competências básicas do gatekeeper relativas a atitude, autoeficácia e conhecimento melhoraram significativamente, e essa melhoria se manteve em uma subamostra por um período de 3 meses ou mais (P = 0,0001). Conclusões. Os resultados são promissores e indicam a utilidade do BIZI para melhorar a capacidade e a disposição dos agentes comunitários para identificar pessoas em situação de risco e encaminhá-las para recursos especializados. Seu formato inovador confere vantagens importantes em relação a outros pro- gramas de gatekeeper mais comuns e facilita sua disseminação em ambientes com poucos recursos. Esse é o primeiro programa desse tipo com eficácia comprovada, além de ser o primeiro disponível em espanhol.

Suicidal ideation risk among LGB Spanish university students: The role of childhood and adolescence adversities and mental disorders.

BACKGROUND: Childhood/adolescence adversities and mental disorders are higher among LGB youths. AIMS: To evaluate the role of childhood maltreatment, bullying, and mental disorders on the association between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation (SI); and the role of mental disorders on the association between sexual orientation discrimination and SI. METHODS: Baseline and 12-month follow-up online surveys of Spanish first-year university students (18-24-year-olds). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the effects of childhood/adolescence adversities and mental disorders in the relationship between sexual orientation, discrimination and SI. RESULTS: A total of 1224 students were included (16.4 % LGBs). Risk factors of lifetime SI were sexual orientation (OR 2.4), any bullying (OR 2.4), any childhood maltreatment (OR 4.0), and any mental disorders (OR 3.8). Final model Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.78. Among homosexual and bisexual students, discrimination showed increased risk of 12-month SI (OR 2.2), but this effect was no longer statistically significant when any 12-month mental disorder was added (OR 7.8). Final model AUC 0.72. LIMITATIONS: Sample of interest was relatively small. But it was similar to comparable studies and statistical adjustments have been performed. Assessment of mental disorders and SI was not based on clinical assessment. However, validated scales showing good diagnostic agreement with clinical judgement were used. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood/adolescence adversities and mental disorders interact in the association between sexual orientation and SI. Mental disorders may mediate the association between sexual orientation discrimination and SI. Further research using larger samples and causal modelling approach assessing the mediators of SI risk among LGBs is needed.

Predictive models for first-onset and persistence of depression and anxiety among university students.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are both prevalent among university students. They frequently co-occur and share risk factors. Yet few studies have focused on identifying students at highest risk of first-onset and persistence of either of these conditions. METHODS: Multicenter cohort study among Spanish first-year university students. At baseline, students were assessed for lifetime and 12-month Major Depressive Episode and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (MDE-GAD), other mental disorders, childhood-adolescent adversities, stressful life events, social support, socio-demographics, and psychological factors using web-based surveys; 12-month MDE-GAD was again assessed at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1253 students participated in both surveys (59.2% of baseline respondents; mean age = 18.7 (SD = 1.3); 56.0% female). First-onset of MDE-GAD at follow-up was 13.3%. Also 46.7% of those with baseline MDE-GAD showed persistence at follow-up. Childhood/Adolescence emotional abuse or neglect (OR= 4.33), prior bipolar spectrum disorder (OR= 4.34), prior suicidal ideation (OR=4.85) and prior lifetime symptoms of MDE (ORs=2.33-3.63) and GAD (ORs=2.15-3.75) were strongest predictors of first-onset MDE-GAD. Prior suicidal ideation (OR=3.17) and prior lifetime GAD symptoms (ORs=2.38-4.02) were strongest predictors of MDE-GAD persistence. Multivariable predictions from baseline showed AUCs of 0.76 for first-onset and 0.81 for persistence. 74.9% of first-onset MDE-GAD cases occurred among 30% students with highest predicted risk at baseline. LIMITATIONS: Self-report data were used; external validation of the multivariable prediction models is needed. CONCLUSION: MDE-GAD among university students is frequent, suggesting the need to implement web-based screening at university entrance that identify those students with highest risk.

Inflammation biomarkers in suicide attempts and their relation to abuse, global functioning and cognition.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the link between cytokines and suicide attempts and their relationship with the psychological aspects of this complex multifactorial phenomenon. METHODS: 96 participants, including 20 patients with a recent suicide attempt and diagnosis of Major Depression Disorder (MDD), 33 MDD patients with a lifetime history of suicide attempt, 23 non-attempter MDD patients, and 20 healthy controls underwent an assessment on depressive symptoms, global functioning, aggressive behaviour, presence of abuse and attention performance. Additionally, all participants had a blood extraction for IL-2, IL2-R, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α plasma levels analysis. RESULTS: IL-6 levels were significantly different across groups (F(3,89)=3.690; p = 0.015), with higher concentrations in both recent (p = 0.04) and distant (p = 0.015) attempt in comparison to MDD non-attempters. IL-6 was associated with adult physical abuse (B = 2.591; p = 0.021), lower global functioning score (B = -0.512; p = 0.011), and poorer performance on attention (B = -0.897; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Recent and distant suicidal behaviour is associated with elevated IL-6 levels, which may be influenced by stressful and traumatic experiences. Elevated concentrations of IL-6 could have a negative impact on attention, increasing suicide risk. More research is needed to clarify the role of cytokines in suicide-related features to explore novel treatments and more effective preventive interventions.

Use of Health Services in the Months Prior to Suicide in a Country With Low Suicide Rates and Public Universal Access to Healthcare.

AIM: The use of health services prior to suicide has been little studied in countries with low suicide rates and, on the other hand, little is known on the use of concrete medical specialties other than primary care or mental health services. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the use of different types of health services, the psychiatric diagnosis, and treatments received in the year prior to suicide in the region of Gipuzkoa (Spain), a country with low rates of suicide and public universal access to healthcare. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study. We included all suicides registered by the official legal body between 2010 and 2017. RESULTS: 388 suicides were analyzed. 78.9% had some contact with the health service in the last year. Primary care was the most used (60% contacted in the last 12 months and 23.5% in last week) followed by non-psychiatric outpatient specialties, mainly neurology, ophthalmology, and rehabilitation. Hospital discharges in the last month were 3 times higher from non-psychiatric units than from psychiatry (5.9% vs 1.8%). Only 32.5% contacted an outpatient psychiatric service the last year and less than 50% had a prescription of psychotropic drugs. The most frequent psychiatric diagnosis was F40-F49 (29.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Results expand the available knowledge and highlight the role of concrete non-psychiatric specialties (including both outpatient and inpatient services) in suicide prevention. Percentages of healthcare use are in line with other countries including some with different healthcare models and higher suicide rates. HIGHLIGHTSHealthcare use is high but similar to countries with higher suicide ratesThe use of several non-psychiatric specialties (outpatient & inpatient) stands outOnly 1 in 3 saw a psychiatrist and 1 in 2 might have received a psych. diagnosis.

Economic impact of treatment-resistant depression: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in Spain and to estimate its economic burden, using real world data. METHODS: A retrospective, observational-study was carried out using data from the BIG-PAC database®. Patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of major depressive-disorder (MDD) who initiated a new antidepressant treatment in 2015-2017 were included. The patients were classified as TRD and non-TRD. Patients were classified as TRD if they had, during the first year of antidepressant treatment: a) failure with ≥2 antidepressants including the prescription of ≥3 antidepressants (N06A) or ≥2 antidepressant and ≥1 antipsychotic (N05A; including lithium) b) antidepressants administered for ≥ 4 weeks each, and c) the time between the end of one treatment and the initiation of the next was ≤ 90 days. Inherent limitations of data collection from databases should also be considered in this analysis (e.g., lack of information about adherence to treatment). Follow-up period: 18 months. The incidence rate was calculated as the number of TRD patients per 1,000 persons-year divided by the population attended. OUTCOMES: direct healthcare and indirect costs. Two sensitivity analyses were performed varying the index date and the period used to define TRD patients (6 vs.12 months). RESULTS: 21,630 patients with MDD aged ≥ 18 years (mean age: 53.2 years; female: 67.2%) were analyzed, of whom 3,559 met TRD criteria, yielding a 3-year cumulative incidence of 16.5% (95%CI: 16%-17%) among MDD patients. The annual population incidence rate of TRD in 2015-2017, was 0.59, 1.02 and 1.18/1,000 person-years, respectively (mean: 0.93/1,000 person-year). Overall, mean total costs per MDD patient were €4,147.9, being higher for TRD than for non-TRD patients (€6,096 vs. €3,846; p<0.001): a) direct costs (€1,341 vs. €624; p<0.001), b) lost productivity (€1,274 vs. €821; p<0.001) and c) permanent disability (€3,481 vs. €2,401; p<0.001, adjusted). Sensitivity analyses showed no differences with the reported results. CONCLUSIONS: The population based TRD incidence in Spain was similar to recent data from other European countries. TRD is associated with greater resource use and higher costs compared with non-TRD patients.

Validation of an Online Version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for Alcohol Screening in Spanish University Students.

Online alcohol screening may be helpful in preventing alcohol use disorders. We assessed psychometric properties of an online version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) among Spanish university students. We used a longitudinal online survey (the UNIVERSAL project) of first-year students (18-24 years old) in five universities, including the AUDIT, as part of the WHO World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative. A reappraisal interview was carried out with the Timeline Followback (TLFB) for alcohol consumption categories and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for alcohol use disorder. Reliability, construct validity and diagnostic accuracy were assessed. Results: 287 students (75% women) completed the MINI, of whom 242 also completed the TLFB. AUDIT's Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. The confirmatory factor analysis for the one-factor solution of the AUDIT showed a good fit to the data. Significant AUDIT score differences were observed by TLFB categories and by MINI disorders. Areas under the curve (AUC) were very large for dependence (AUC = 0.96) and adequate for consumption categories (AUC > 0.7). AUDIT cut-off points of 6/8 (women/men) for moderate-risk drinking and 13 for alcohol dependence showed sensitivity/specificity of 76.2%/78.9% and 56%/97.5%, respectively. The online version of the AUDIT is useful for detecting alcohol consumption categories and alcohol dependence in Spanish university students.

Epidemiology and costs of depressive disorder in Spain: the EPICO study.

Depressive Disorders are the most common psychiatric diagnoses in the general population. To estimate the frequency, costs associated with Depressive Disorders in usual clinical practice, and in the whole Spanish population, a longitudinal, retrospective, observational study was carried out using data from the BIG-PAC database®. Study population: all patients aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of a Depressive Disorder in 2015-2017. Prevalence was computed as the proportion of Depressive Disorder cases in the adult general population, and the incidence rate, as the number of new Depressive Disorder cases diagnosed per 1,000 person-years in the population using health services, during 2015-2017. We collected demographic variables, comorbidity, direct health costs, and indirect costs (temporary and permanent disability). Health costs related to Depressive Disorders were estimated according to the annual resource use rate (resource/patient/year). Indirect costs were calculated according to the human capital method. Using the study data and information from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, we estimated the cost of Depressive Disorders corresponding to the Spanish adult population, including premature mortality. 69,217 Depressive Disorder patients aged ≥ 18 years who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were studied (mean age: 56.8 years; female: 71.4%). Prevalence of Depressive Disorders in the general population was 4.73% (95% CI: 4.70-4.76%). Annual incidence rates (2015-2017) were 7.12, 7.35 and 8.02 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Total costs observed in our Depressive Disorder patients were € 223.9 million (corresponding to a mean of € 3,235.3; mean/patient/year), of which, 18.4% were direct health care costs and 81.6%, non-health indirect costs (18% temporary occupational disability, 63.6% permanent disability). Considering also the cost of premature death, the mean cost per patient/year was € 3,402 and the estimated societal costs of Depressive Disorders in Spain were € 6,145 million. The prevalence and incidence of Depressive Disorders are consistent with other series reviewed. Resource use and total costs (especially non-health costs) were high.

[Suicide prevention, review of the WHO model and reflection on its development in Spain. SESPAS Report 2020]. / Prevención del suicidio, revisión del modelo OMS y reflexión sobre su desarrollo en España. Informe SESPAS 2020.

In recent years, awareness of the impact of suicidal behavior on our society has been increasing, as well as the interest in measures aimed at preventing it or reducing the damage caused. Having the multidisciplinary suicide prevention model promoted by the World Health Organization as a road map, this article makes a non-exhaustive review of the evidence behind the different types of intervention within the model, reviews some outstanding initiatives and reflect on the development of this model in our country. Websites of biomedical databases, institutions and reference documentation centers in suicide prevention have been consulted, identifying and reviewing technical reports and systematic review articles published since 2010. Numerous knowledge gaps have been identified. The evidence seems to be more solid and contrasted in favor of health-type interventions with patients at risk (indicated prevention), although this approach would be insufficient to face the phenomenon. Relatively recent and promising evidence shows the potential of other forms of prevention, particularly multidisciplinary models that incorporate action on vulnerable groups in the community and throughout society (selective and universal prevention), and that would be more in line with the complex and multifactorial nature of suicide. The application of these models is still very scarce in our country, in which the healthcare-health model has predominated. It would be convenient to give greater prominence to public health professionals in order to promote the development of these approaches, with which they are more used to working.

Mental disorders in Spanish university students: Prevalence, age-of-onset, severe role impairment and mental health treatment.

BACKGROUND: The university period carries risk for onset of common mental disorders. Epidemiological knowledge on mental disorders among Spanish university students is limited. AIMS: To estimate lifetime and 12-month prevalence, persistence and age-of-onset of mental disorders among Spanish first-year university students, as well as associated role impairment and mental health treatment use. METHODS: First-year university students (N=2,118; 55.4% female; mean age=18.8 years) from five Spanish universities completed a web-based survey, screening possible DSM-IV mental disorders (major depressive episode(MDE), mania/hypomania, generalized anxiety disorder(GAD), panic disorder(PD), alcohol abuse/dependence(AUD), drug abuse/dependence(DUD), and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)). Role impairment and treatment associated with mental disorders were assessed. RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any possible mental disorder was 41.3%(SE=1.08) and 35.7%(SE=1.05), respectively. Persistence (i.e., ratio of 12-month to lifetime prevalence) was 86.4%(SE=1.58). Median age-of-onset was 14 for adult ADHD, 15 for mood disorders and AUD, and 16 for anxiety disorders and DUD. One third (29.2%) of 12-month disorders were associated with role impairment. Twelve-month PD (OR=4.0;95%CI=1.9-8.5) had the highest odds for role impairment. Only 12.6% of students with 12-month disorder received any mental health treatment. Twelve-month treatment was the highest among those students with 12-month GAD (OR=7.4;95%CI=3.7-14.8). LIMITATIONS: The assessment of mental disorders was based on self-reports. Cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal associations. CONCLUSION: One third of Spanish university students report a common mental disorder in the past year, and one third of those report severe role impairment. Only one out of eight students with 12-month mental disorders receives mental health treatment.

Prevención del suicidio, revisión del modelo OMS y reflexión sobre su desarrollo en España. Informe SESPAS 2020 / Suicide prevention, review of the WHO model and reflection on its development in Spain. SESPAS Report 2020

En los últimos años, la conciencia sobre el impacto de la conducta suicida en nuestra sociedad ha ido en aumento, así como el interés por las medidas dirigidas a prevenirlo o reducir el daño causado. Tomando como hoja de ruta el modelo multidisciplinario de prevención del suicidio que promueve la Organización Mundial de la Salud, este artículo hace una revisión no exhaustiva de la evidencia que lo respalda, repasa algunas iniciativas destacadas y reflexiona sobre el desarrollo de este modelo en España. Se han consultado webs de bases de datos biomédicas, instituciones y centros de documentación de referencia en prevención del suicidio, y se han hallado y revisado informes técnicos y artículos de revisión sistemática publicados desde 2010. Se identifican numerosas lagunas en el conocimiento. La evidencia parece ser más sólida y contrastada en favor de intervenciones de tipo sanitario con pacientes de riesgo (prevención indicada), si bien este enfoque resultaría insuficiente para hacer frente al fenómeno. Evidencias relativamente recientes y prometedoras muestran el potencial de otras formas de prevención, en particular de modelos multidisciplinarios que incorporan la acción sobre grupos vulnerables en la comunidad y toda la sociedad (prevención selectiva y universal), y que serían más acordes con la naturaleza compleja y multifactorial del suicidio. La aplicación de estos modelos es todavía muy escasa en nuestro país, donde ha predominado el modelo asistencial-sanitario. Sería conveniente dar un mayor protagonismo a los profesionales de salud pública a fin de potenciar el desarrollo de estos enfoques, con los que están más habituados a trabajar

In recent years, awareness of the impact of suicidal behavior on our society has been increasing, as well as the interest in measures aimed at preventing it or reducing the damage caused. Having the multidisciplinary suicide prevention model promoted by the World Health Organization as a road map, this article makes a non-exhaustive review of the evidence behind the different types of intervention within the model, reviews some outstanding initiatives and reflect on the development of this model in our country. Websites of biomedical databases, institutions and reference documentation centers in suicide prevention have been consulted, identifying and reviewing technical reports and systematic review articles published since 2010. Numerous knowledge gaps have been identified. The evidence seems to be more solid and contrasted in favor of health-type interventions with patients at risk (indicated prevention), although this approach would be insufficient to face the phenomenon. Relatively recent and promising evidence shows the potential of other forms of prevention, particularly multidisciplinary models that incorporate action on vulnerable groups in the community and throughout society (selective and universal prevention), and that would be more in line with the complex and multifactorial nature of suicide. The application of these models is still very scarce in our country, in which the healthcare-health model has predominated. It would be convenient to give greater prominence to public health professionals in order to promote the development of these approaches, with which they are more used to working

Prevention of Suicidal Behavior with Telemedicine in Patients with a Recent Suicide Attempt: Is a 6-month Intervention Long Enough?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of a 6-month telephone follow-up program for the prevention of suicidality in adult patients discharged from three general hospitals after a suicide attempt. Results are compared with traditional programs lasting 12 months or more. METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter, study with the control group. Patients in the intervention group received five protocolized telephone calls which were added to their usual treatment. Those in the control group only received usual treatment. Each patient was followed up for 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were included in the intervention group and 463 in the control group. 57.7% received at least three calls. Patients in the intervention group took longer to perform a reattempt (p = .05). The percentage of those who did a reattempt (p = .67) and the number of reattempts per patient (p = .66) did not differ between groups. Those in the intervention group showed higher percentages of adherence to the outpatient follow-up (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The intervention was well accepted and showed improved percentages of adherence to outpatient follow-up; however, the results in the prevention of suicidality were worse than those obtained by programs lasting 12 months or more. It is advisable to maintain the telephone follow-up for a minimum of 12 months.

Medidas de frecuencia utilizadas en estudios de cohortes para evaluar el comportamiento suicida en jóvenes (12-26 años): una revisión sistemática / Measures of frequency used in cohorts studies to evaluate the suicidal behaviour in young people (12-26 years): a systematic review

Introducción: La OMS prioriza para el año 2020 reducir las tasas de suicidio señalando dificultades para dar estimaciones precisas debido a una amplia variedad de factores, entre ellos, aspectos relativos a la propia medición estadística de la conducta suicida. La proporción de muertes por suicidio es del 8,5% para los jóvenes de entre 15-29 años. Objetivo: Revisar la metodología empleada para expresar la frecuencia de la conducta suicida en población joven y describir las características metodológicas de los estudios examinados. Método: Revisión sistemática de estudios longitudinales registrada en PROSPERO. La información extraída fue: año de publicación, revista, tamaño poblacional, muestra, país, diseño, edad, porcentaje de hombres, tiempo de seguimiento y pérdidas, comportamiento suicida, factores de riesgo, aspectos éticos y evaluándose fundamentalmente las medidas de frecuencia empleadas. Resultados: Se identificaron 37.793 documentos, de los cuales fueron seleccionados 82. Ningún estudio define la medida de frecuencia empleada para la conducta suicida, encontrándose hasta 9 formas diferentes de medirla. La población son estudiantes o población general (66%), cohortes de nacimiento (16%) y colectivos específicos. El seguimiento fue de 24 semanas hasta 30 años. Solo un 24,1% de los estudios consideró los aspectos éticos. Conclusiones: Se constata que no existe una sistematización a la hora de medir la frecuencia de presentación de la conducta suicida. La variabilidad metodológica y terminológica utilizada dificulta hacer comparaciones entre los estudios y conocer la verdadera dimensión del problema. Se insta a los investigadores a realizar un esfuerzo para consensuar las medidas de frecuencia empleadas en los estudios de cohortes

Introduction: A priority for the WHO by 2020 is to have reduced the rates of suicide; they indicate difficulties in giving precise estimations due to a wide variety of factors, which include aspects related to the statistical measurements themselves of suicidal behaviour. The proportion of deaths from suicide is 8.5% among young people between 15-29 years of age. Objective: To review the methodology used to express the frequency of suicidal behaviour in young people and to describe the methodological characteristics of the studies reviewed. Method: A systematic review of longitudinal studies registered on PROSPERO. The extracted information included the following: year of publication, journal, population size, sample, country, design, age, percentage of men, follow-up time and losses, suicidal behaviour, risk factors, ethical aspects, fundamentally, evaluating the measures of frequency used. Results: Eighty-two articles were selected from 37,793 documents. None of the studies define the measure of frequency used for suicidal behaviour, there are currently up to 9 different ways of measuring it. The populations are students or the general population (66%), birth cohorts (16%) and specific groups. Follow-up was from 24 weeks to 30 years. Only 24.1% of the studies took ethical aspects into consideration. Conclusions: Researchers must make an effort to reach an agreement on the measures of frequency used in suicidal behaviour studies, as the methodological and terminological variability currently used impedes making any comparisons between different studies or understanding the real dimension of the problem

Gender commonalities and differences in risk and protective factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A cross-sectional study of Spanish university students.

AIM: To assess gender differences in the association between risk/protective factors and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB); and whether there is any gender-interaction with those factors and STB; among Spanish university students. METHODS: Data from baseline online survey of UNIVERSAL project, a multicenter, observational study of first-year Spanish university students (18-24 years). We assessed STB; lifetime and 12-month negative life-events and family adversities; mental disorders; personal and community factors. Gender-specific regression models and gender-interactions were also analyzed. RESULTS: We included 2,105 students, 55.4% women. Twelve-month prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) was 10%, plans 5.7%, attempts 0.6%. Statistically significant gender-interactions were found for lifetime anxiety disorder, hopelessness, violence between parents, chronic health conditions and family support. Lifetime mood disorder was a common risk factor of SI for both genders (Females: OR= 5.5; 95%CI 3.3-9.3; Males: OR= 4.4; 95%CI 2.0-9.7). For females, exposure to violence between parents (OR= 3.5; 95%CI 1.7-7.2), anxiety disorder (OR= 2.7; 95%CI 1.6-4.6), and alcohol/substance disorder (OR= 2.1; 95%CI 1.1-4.3); and for males, physical childhood maltreatment (OR= 3.6; 95%CI 1.4-9.2), deceased parents (OR= 4.6; 95%CI 1.2-17.7), and hopelessness (OR= 7.7; 95%CI 2.8-21.2), increased SI risk. Family support (OR= 0.5; 95%CI 0.2-0.9) and peers/others support (OR= 0.4; 95%CI 0.2-0.8) were associated to a lower SI risk only among females. CONCLUSIONS: Only mood disorder was a common risk factor of SI for both genders, whereas important gender-differences were observed regarding the other factors assessed. The protective effect from family and peers/others support was observed only among females. Further research assessing underlying mechanisms and pathways of gender-differences is needed.

Accuracy of online survey assessment of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Spanish university students. Results of the WHO World Mental Health- International College Student initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of WMH-ICS online screening scales for evaluating four common mental disorders (Major Depressive Episode[MDE], Mania/Hypomania[M/H], Panic Disorder[PD], Generalized Anxiety Disorder[GAD]) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors[STB] used in the UNIVERSAL project. METHODS: Clinical diagnostic reappraisal was carried out on a subsample of the UNIVERSAL project, a longitudinal online survey of first year Spanish students (18-24 years old), part of the WHO World Mental Health-International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of MDE, M/H, PD, GAD and STB were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Screening Scales [CIDI-SC], the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview [SITBI] and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS]. Trained clinical psychologists, blinded to responses in the initial survey, administered via telephone the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI]. Measures of diagnostic accuracy and McNemar χ2 test were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to maximize diagnostic capacity. RESULTS: A total of 287 students were included in the clinical reappraisal study. For 12-month and lifetime mood disorders, sensitivity/specificity were 67%/88.6% and 65%/73.3%, respectively. For 12-month and lifetime anxiety disorders, these were 76.8%/86.5% and 59.6%/71.1%, and for 12-month and lifetime STB, 75.9%/94.8% and 87.2%/86.3%. For 12-month and lifetime mood disorders, anxiety disorders and STB, positive predictive values were in the range of 18.1-55.1% and negative predictive values 90.2-99.0%; likelihood ratios positive were in the range of 2.1-14.6 and likelihood ratios negative 0.1-0.6. All outcomes showed adequate areas under the curve [AUCs] (AUC>0.7), except M/H and PD (AUC = 0.6). Post hoc analyses to select optimal diagnostic thresholds led to improved concordance for all diagnoses (AUCs>0.8). CONCLUSION: The WMS-ICS survey showed reasonable concordance with the MINI telephone interviews performed by mental health professionals, when utilizing optimized cut-off scores. The current study provides initial evidence that the WMS-ICS survey might be useful for screening purposes.

Dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms: inequalities in pharmacological treatment and institutionalization.

BACKGROUND: Dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are the main determinant of family stress and institutionalization of patients. This study aimed to identify inequalities by gender and socioeconomic status in the management of NPS in patients diagnosed with dementia. METHODS: An observational study was carried out to study all the cases of dementia in the corporate database of the Basque Health Service (29,864 patients). The prescription of antipsychotics and antidepressants and admission to a nursing home were used to establish the presence of NPS. The socioeconomic status of individuals was classified by a deprivation index. Logistic regressions were used to identify drivers for drug prescriptions and institutionalization. RESULTS: NPS are poorly recorded in the clinical databases (12%). Neuropsychiatric symptoms were severe enough in two thirds of patients with dementia to be treated with psychoactive medication. Institutionalization showed an increase from those who did not receive medication to those who had been prescribed antidepressants (OR: 1.546), antipsychotics (OR: 2.075) or both (OR: 2.741). The resulting inequalities were the increased prescription of antidepressant drugs in women and more nursing-home admissions for women who were the least socioeconomically deprived and men who were the most deprived. CONCLUSIONS: In large clinical databases, psychoactive drugs prescriptions can be useful to underscore the considerable burden of dementia-related NPS. Specific tools are needed to monitor social and health care programs targeted to dementia-related NPS from a population perspective. Programs aimed at reducing the family burden of care of dementia patients at home become the key elements in reducing inequalities in these patients' care. Socioeconomic status is the most important driver of inequality, and gender inequality may simply be hidden within the social environment. Integrated programs boosting the continuity of care are an objective for which compliance could be measured according to the NPS coding in the electronic health record.

Self-esteem and suicidal behaviour in youth: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies / Autoestima y comportamiento suicida en jóvenes: un metaanálisis de estudios longitudinales

Background: Previous literature suggests that low self-esteem is a risk factor for suicide attempts, but no meta-analyses have been conducted to assess this association in adolescents/young adults. The present study examined the relationship between low self-esteem and suicide attempts in young people (12-26 years old). Method: Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models (ES) and odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: From 26,883 initial titles, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 9 studies had data that could be included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that youths with lower self-esteem were more likely to have future suicide attempts, with an effect size (self-esteem as continuous variable) of d = .58 (95% CI = .44 - .73) and, for low self-esteem (categorical variable) an OR = 1.99 (95% CI = 1.39-2.86; p < .001). Conclusion: A low level of self-esteem is a risk factor for suicide attempts in adolescents/young adults

Antecedentes: según la literatura, la baja autoestima es un factor de riesgo para los intentos de suicidio, pero no se han realizado metaanálisis para evaluar esta asociación entre los adolescentes/jóvenes. El presente estudio examinó la relación entre la baja autoestima y los intentos de suicidio entre los jóvenes (12-26 años de edad). Método: los metaanálisis se realizaron mediante modelos de efectos aleatorios, con tamaños del efecto (TE) y odds-ratio (OR). Se realizaron análisis de heterogeneidad y sensibilidad. Resultados: de 2.883 trabajos iniciales, 22 estudios cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, de los cuales 9 estudios tenían datos que podían incluirse en el meta-análisis. El meta-análisis mostró que los jóvenes con menor autoestima eran más propensos a tener intentos futuros de suicidio, con un tamaño del efecto (autoestima como variable continua) de TE = 0,58 (IC del 95%: 0,44 a 0,73) y para la autoestima baja (variable categórica), un OR = 1,99 (IC del 95%: 1,39 a 2,86; p<0,001). Conclusión: el bajo nivel de autoestima es un factor de riesgo para los intentos de suicidio en adolescentes/jóvenes. Se necesitan programas eficaces para aumentar los niveles de autoestima y prevenir futuros comportamientos suicidas

Self-esteem and suicidal behaviour in youth: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND: Previous literature suggests that low self-esteem is a risk factor for suicide attempts, but no meta-analyses have been conducted to assess this association in adolescents/young adults. The present study examined the relationship between low self-esteem and suicide attempts in young people (12-26 years old). METHOD: Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models (ES) and odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: From 26,883 initial titles, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 9 studies had data that could be included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that youths with lower self-esteem were more likely to have future suicide attempts, with an effect size (self-esteem as continuous variable) of d = .58 (95% CI = .44 - .73) and, for low self-esteem (categorical variable) an OR = 1.99 (95% CI = 1.39-2.86; p < .001). CONCLUSION: A low level of self-esteem is a risk factor for suicide attempts in adolescents/young adults.