Lifetime Subthreshold Mania is Related to Suicidality in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Although the association between mood disorders, and particularly bipolar disorders, comorbidity and suicidality in posttraumatic (PTSD) patients is well established, less information is available on the impact of subsyndromal mood symptoms. The aim of the present study was, thus, to explore the frequency and relationship between subthreshold mood symptoms, assessed by a specific and validated questionnaire, and suicidality in PTSD patients.Method: Sixty-five PTSD outpatients without bipolar disorders and 65 healthy control subjects were asked to complete the Mood Spectrum-SR-Lifetime Version (MOODS-SR), a questionnaire exploring the presence of subthreshold affective symptoms. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between suicidality, explored by six items of the MOODS-SR combined and dichotomized to denote the presence or absence of suicidal ideations/plans and/or attempts, and the number of manic/hypomanic or depressive symptoms.Results: Statistically significant and positive associations were found between the presence of manic/hypomanic and depressive symptoms and the likelihood of suicidal ideation or attempts.Conclusion: Besides depressive, even subthreshold manic/hypomanic features seem to be associated with higher suicidality in PTSD patients.