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The Risk of Suicide Mortality in Chronic Pain Patients

  • Psychiatric Management of Pain (M Clark, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Chronic pain has long been considered an important risk factor for suicidal behavior. Less well understood are the factors associated with the increased risk for suicide death within chronic pain populations. The purpose of this review is to examine recent research with regard to rates of and risk factors for suicide mortality in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. We conclude that patients with a number of chronic pain states are at increased risk for suicide death, and that this risk appears to be due, at least in part, to other well-known correlates of pain such as depression and substance use disorders. However, in all likelihood, there are aspects of chronic pain itself that add uniquely to an individual’s suicide risk profile. Lastly, we address a theoretical perspective and offer recommendations for clinical practice.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Metzger Family Foundation (ALH) and the California State University Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship (JKA).

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

ᅟ

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Afton L. Hassett received a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dr. Hassett received payment for development of educational presentations, including service on speakers’ bureaus from inPractice and travel/accommodations expenses covered or reimbursed by the American College of Rheumatology.

Mr. Jordan K. Aquino received a grant from California State University (Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship).

Dr. Mark A. Ilgen declares no potential conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Avenue, Lobby M, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA

    Afton L. Hassett

  2. Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Center, Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA, 92834, USA

    Jordan K. Aquino

  3. VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Mark A. Ilgen

Authors
  1. Afton L. Hassett
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  2. Jordan K. Aquino
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  3. Mark A. Ilgen
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Correspondence to Afton L. Hassett.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Psychiatric Management of Pain

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Hassett, A.L., Aquino, J.K. & Ilgen, M.A. The Risk of Suicide Mortality in Chronic Pain Patients. Curr Pain Headache Rep 18, 436 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0436-1

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