Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.08.2003, Blaðsíða 18

I ABSTRACTS / 27TH NORDIC PSYCHIATRIC CONGRESS
F-4/3 Thursday 14/8, 14:00-15:00
Suicide assessment - evaluation of SUAS, a scale
assessing suicidality
Andcrs Niméus MD, PhD, Dept. of Psychiatry, Inst. of Clinical Neuroscience, Lund
University, S-221 85 LUND, Sweden, Fredrik Hjalmarsson, Lil Traskman-Bendz
mders.nimeus@psykiatr.lu.se
The Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS) was developed to be sensi-
tive to change in suicidality. It was recently found to be predictive of
suicide in a group of suicide attempters. Our aim in this study was to
evaluate the reliability and validity of a new interview-version of
SUAS with defined scores and also a new self-rating version. We
used an already available material from 42 subjects, who had a ten-
year history of inpatienl care because of a suicide attempt. The
subjects had been rated according to several different rating scales
both ten years ago and recently, at follow-up. Interrater reliability
was found to be high. Individuals with a principal axis I diagnosis
scored significantly higher than those with no such diagnosis. We
found the self-rated scale to correlate significantly with the inter-
view-rated SUAS, thus exhibiting good concurrent validity. SUAS
seems to be a valid, reliable and easily used suicide assessment
instrument, both in research and in clinic. Hopefully, this scale
could become a valuable tool in assessing suicidality in a general
psychiatric population.
F - 4 / 4 Thursday 14/8, 15:00-16:00
Repetition of suicidal behaviour following deliberate self-
poisoning with pesticides
Naudts KH, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Van den Eynde F, Portzky G, Audenaert K, Van Heeringen.
kris. naudts@hotmail. com
Background: A previous suicide attempt brings with it an increased
risk of subsequent suicidal behaviour.
Aims: To find out to what extent deliberate self-poisoning with
pesticides is associated with subsequent suicidal behaviour.
Methods: There were 3483 referrals (during 8 years) following a
suicide attempt, including 2654 cases of self-poisoning (76 %). In 42
patients (2 %), there was involvement of pesticides. Four patients
died. Of the remaining 38 patients, 22 were rnen (58 %), 16 were
women (42 %). The mean age was 42 (17-79). Substances involved
were organophosphates (94 %) and carbamates (6 %). Organo-
phosphates were combined with alcohol (11 %) / drugs (3 %).
Results: Repetition of suicidal behaviour was assessed on average
74.3 (1-120) months after referral. Repetition of suicidal behaviour
was found in 3 patients (8 %). One was re-admitted due to severe
suicidal ideation. Repetition with non-fatal outcome was found in 2
patients. One patient committed suicide by means of self-poisoning
41 days after the index intoxication.
Condusions: This retrospective cohort study showed that delibe-
rate self-poisoning with pesticides is not associated with an in-
creased risk of subsequent suicidal behaviour. The repetition rate
was clearly lower than that found in our longitudinal study of a
large sample with a shorter follow-up period.
Reference
• Heeringen CV, Jannes S, Buylaert W, Henderick H, Bacquer DD, Remoortel JV.
The management of non-compliance with referral to out-patient after care
among attempted suicide patients: a controlled intervention study. Psychol Med
1995; 25: 963-70.
F-5/1 Friday 15/8, 15:00-16:00
Villa Sana, Modum Bad, the counselling and coursing
centre for doctors in Norway
Karin Isaksson Ro. Medical Doctor, Modum Bad, Norway, 3370, Vikersund, Norway
karin. roe@modum-bad. no
Background: At Modum Bad, a psychiatric hospital with patients
referred from all of Norway, health personnel in need of treatment
have traditionally been given high priority. Over the years an
impression was formed that doctors often seek treatment late in the
course of disease. The Norwegian Medical Association, in co-
operation with Modum Bad, has therefore initiated a project where
doctors can come for counselling and coursing. The intention is to
give a low-threshold offer to doctors, with an opportunity to reflect
over their situation and a possibility for the counsellor to give
advice.
Aim: The aim of the project is three-fold: to strengthen the identity
as a doctor; to promote health and quality of life; to prevent burn-
oul. Since the start in 1998, more than 450 doctors have made use of
this possibility. A short evaluation, filled out in connection with the
counselling or the course, has clearly shown the participants
satisfaction.
The presentation vvill describe the project in more detail, and
present a planned, extended evaluation.
F-5/2 Friday 15/8,15:00-16:00
Efficacy of group psychotherapy combined with art- and
body-awareness therapies
Ingvar Krisljánsson. Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, The University Hospital,
Reykjavík, Adr.: Dagdeild Geödeildar LSH, Hvítabandi Skólavöröustíg 37,101 Reykja-
vík, Iceland. Anna K. Kristjánsdóttir, Halldóra Halldórsdóttir, Ragnheiöur Indriðadótt-
ir, Anna Þóra Kristinsdóttir, Anna María Jónsdóttir.
ingvar@centrum. is
Background: Non-verbal and creative arts psychotherapy methods
have been used in combination with conventional psychotherapies or
as an alternative to them for patients with various difficult-to-treat
psychiatric disorders. A program combining analytic group therapy
with art therapy and body-awareness therapy was established at a
Day Hospital in Reykjavik in 1979. Most of the patients treated there
have had very traumatic early experiences, have personality dis-
orders and are already a heavy burden on health and social services.
Aims: The aims of this study are to assess the results of this long-
term combination therapy and define which patients make the best
use of it.
Methods: On admission and at intervals during their stay at the Day
Hospital the patients filled in the following self rating scales: Beck’s
Depression Inventory, Symptom Check List 90, Gough’s Socializa-
tion Inventory, Eysenck’s Personality Inventory and a form for
18 LÆKNABLAÐIÐ / FYLGIRIT 48 2003/89