The emergency physician’s assessment of suicide risk in intentional self-poisoning using the modified SAD PERSONS scale versus standard psychiatric evaluation in a general hospital in South India: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

The reliable identification, by emergency physicians, of those with intentional self-poisoning at risk of repeating attempts is crucial, particularly in countries with a shortfall of mental health professionals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study of intentional self-poisoning in India compared an emergency physician’s assessment for the need for psychiatric referral, using the modified SAD PERSONS Scale (MSPS) as an interview guide, with a standard psychiatric interview.

Results

In 67 consecutive adults with intentional self-poisoning, MSPS cut-off scores of 5 or more best approximated psychiatric assessments for the need for psychiatric referral (positive likelihood ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–10.2; negative likelihood ratio 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.8).

Conclusions

MSPS-guided emergency physicians’ assessments after self-poisoning showed modest concordance with psychiatric assessments of suicide-risk. Concordance with psychiatric assessments may improve if risk factors prevalent in different settings are identified and incorporated in the MSPS.