Prevalence and Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Longitudinal Study:

Objectives(1) Determine 1-year period prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide among patients newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC). (2) Characterize stability and trajectory of suicidal ideation over the year following cancer diagnosis. (3) Identify patients at risk of suicidal ideation.Study DesignProspective longitudinal study with 1-year follow-up.SettingThree university-affiliated outpatient departments of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.Subjects and MethodsThe study comprised a representative sample of 223 consecutive patients who were newly diagnosed (<2 weeks) with a first occurrence of primary HNC, were ≥18 years old and able to consent, and had a Karnofsky Performance Scale score ≥60. Patients completed the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders.ResultsSixteen percent (15.7%) of patients with HNC were suicidal <1 year from diagnosis, with point prevalences of 8.1% <2 wee...