Factores asociados con intento de suicidio y comportamientos de autolesión no suicida en pacientes con trastornos del comportamiento alimentario

Rodríguez Guarín, Maritza; Rodríguez Malagón, Nelcy; Gempeler Rueda, Juanita; Garzón, Daniel Felipe

El intento de suicidio (IS) y los comportamientos de autolesión no suicida (CALNS) se han descrito en pacientes con trastornos del comportamiento alimentario (TCA) y se relacionan con una mayor morbilidad y peor pronóstico.

Objetivos:

Explorar la presentación de IS y CALNS en pacientes consultantes a un programa de tratamiento ambulatorio para TCA, evaluar las variables asociadas y explorar la correlación entre ambos tipos de comportamientos.

Materiales y métodos:

Se estudiaron 908 pacientes de ambos sexos que consultaron el Programa Equilibrio, de Bogotá. El antecedente de IS y CALNS fue explorado sistemática-mente en la elaboración de la historia clínica mediante preguntas estructuradas directas y corroboradas durante las entrevistas con la familia. Además, se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, y antecedentes de experiencias traumáticas. Se calcularon frecuencias simples, se realizó un análisis bivariado entre el IS y el CALNS, y las otras variables de estudio. Finalmente, para el análisis multivariado se construyeron 2 modelos de asociación con las variables de importancia clínica y significación estadística.

Resultados:

El 13% de los pacientes reportaron IS en algún momento de su vida y el 26%, CALNS. Las variables asociadas con IS fueron trastorno bipolar (OR: 3,86; IC 95% 2,4-6,1), personalidad limítrofe, subtipo purgativo del TCA y autolesiones. Con los CALNS se encontró asociado abuso sexual (OR: 3,48; IC 95% 2,2-5,4), trastorno bipolar, tricotilomanía e intento de suicidio.

Conclusión:

El IS y los CALNS son frecuentes en pacientes con TCA con múltiples comorbilidades, mayor impulsividad y desregulación emocional, y deben ser explorados y tratados.

Suicide attempt (SA) and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors (NSSI) have been described in patients with eating disorders (ED), and they have been associated with increased morbidity and poor prognosis.

Objectives:

To explore the presence of SA and NSSI in patients attending an outpatient ED program, as well as to evaluate the associated variables and the correlation between both types of behaviors.

Materials and methods:

A total of 908 patients of both sexes attending the Equilibrio outpatient program in Bogotá were studied. The histories of SA and NSSI were systematically examined in the development of medical history by direct and structured questions to the patient, and then validated during interviews with the family. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as history of traumatic experiences, were also studied. Simple frequencies were calculated, and a bivariate analysis was performed between SA, NSSI, and the other variables of the study. Finally, two models of association were designed for the multivariate analysis, using variables of clinical importance and statistical significance.

Results:

SA sometime in their lives was reported by 13% of the patients, and 26% of them reported NSSI. The variables associated with SA were bipolar disorder (OR: 3.86, 95% CI; 2.4-6.1), borderline personality, purgative subtype of ED, and self-injury. Sexual abuse was associated with NSSI (OR: 3.48, 95%CI; 2.2-5.4), as well as bipolar disorder, trichotillomania, and suicide attempt.

Conclusion:

SA and NSSI are frequent in patients with eating disorders with multiple comorbidities, increased impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, and they should be explored and treated.