High SAD PERSONS scale scores are associated with subsequent psychiatric admission after suicide attempts: A single‐center retrospective study

Aim The SAD PERSONS scale (SPS) assesses the risk of future suicide attempts; however, its utility in patients with severe physical injuries is unclear. This study explored the association between high SPS scores and subsequent psychiatric admission (SPA) among patients transported to a tertiary emergency center following suicide attempts. Methods This single‐center, retrospective observational study included patients transported to our tertiary emergency center between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023. Patients were enrolled based on their scores on the SPS: ≥5 points (High SPS group) or <5 points (Low SPS group). The primary outcome was SPA; the secondary outcomes were physical complications, length of stay in the emergency department, involuntary psychiatric admission, and re‐suicide attempts in the general ward. Results Of 199 patients, 58 (29.1%) were in the High SPS group and 141 (70.9%) in the Low SPS group, with 67 SPA and 61 involuntary admissions. The High SPS group had significantly higher SPA than the Low SPS group (67.2% vs. 19.9%, p < 0.01). Physical complications, length of stay in the emergency department, and involuntary psychiatric admissions were significantly higher in the High SPS group than in the Low SPS group. Re‐suicide attempts in the general ward did not significantly increase. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that an SPS score of ≥5 points was significantly associated with SPA (odds ratio 6.97; 95% confidence interval, 2.85–17.1; p < 0.01). Conclusion High SPS scores are associated with SPA. This finding helps emergency physicians predict psychiatric consultations and admission.