Date of Award

4-24-2020

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (MMSc)

First Advisor

Juliette Spelman, MD, BS

Abstract

Suicide among United States veterans is a serious public health concern. Among the known risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide among veterans are mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and opioid use disorder. Opioid prescriptions continue to rise in the United States, so does opioid use disorder and overdose deaths. However, it is not known if opioid prescriptions are associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation in veterans A retrospective cohort study is proposed to determine whether opioid prescribing at Veterans Affairs hospitals and health centers correlates with rates of suicidal ideation. Veterans prescribed opioids will be stratified by morphine equivalent daily dose and then assessed for Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scales performed as secondary patient screenings. This study will provide essential insights to help identify veterans who are at increased risk for suicidal ideation.

Open Access

This Article is Open Access

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