Designing interventions guided by digital phenotype and pharmacogenetics in Spain for suicidal behaviour based on retrospective data: the multicentre SMARTomicS study protocol

AI Summary

Multicentre retrospective study across 25 Spanish hospitals enrolling >5,000 participants to integrate clinical, prescription, biospecimen and Google Takeout digital phenotype data.
Develop a predictive algorithm combining psychiatric assessments, genomics (Axiom Spanish array, GWAS) and exposomic and digital markers to identify suicidal behaviour risk.
Evaluate pharmacogenomic cost-effectiveness for antidepressant response and ensure GDPR-compliant ethics, parental consent for minors, and dissemination in peer-reviewed journals.

BMJ Open. 2026 May 20;16(5):e106685. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106685.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Each year, suicide claims approximately 700 000 lives worldwide and generates a significant financial burden. Integrating genomic data, exposomic factors and digital phenotypes can enhance the development of short-term predictive models. Current knowledge and available tools provide the basis for designing personalised treatment strategies that incorporate real-time interventions to prevent suicide attempt recurrence cost-effectively. This study aims to develop a predictive algorithm for suicidal behaviour integrating psychiatric assessments, genetic risk markers, digital phenotypes and exposomic data.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol describes a retrospective multicentre study that will recruit participants with a clinical history of suicide across 25 hospitals across Spain with a catchment area of 8.6 million people (17.8% of Spain’s population). Our sample target is over 5000 participants, aged over 12 years old, ensuring 93.5% statistical power for genetic analysis. Eligible participants must be over 12 years old. Data collection will include psychiatric assessments, biospecimen collections (DNA, RNA, plasma and serum), Google Takeout data for digital phenotyping, and a standardised set of administrative and clinical data registered for each patient. Genotyping will be performed with the Axiom Spanish array (>750 000 markers), and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) will be performed after genetic imputation in a whole sample of >10 000 individuals (5000 suicide attempters; 5000 controls). Prescription and clinical history will also be retrospectively integrated, and codified data statistics forms will periodically be sent to the Government. Statistical analyses will combine traditional regression models and AI-based algorithms to identify predictive behavioural, genomic profiles, and digital markers of suicidal behaviour. Cost-effectiveness analyses of pharmacogenomic markers for antidepressant response will also be conducted.By successfully implementing this project, we aim to help reduce suicide reattempts and lessen the emotional and economic burden on families and the healthcare system.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Fundación Jiménez Díaz (PIC301-24_FJD) and complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. It adheres to the GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679), Spain’s Organic Law 3/2018 on Personal Data Protection and Digital Rights, and Law 41/2002 on patient autonomy. All required data protection measures will be implemented, including those under Real Decreto 1718/2010 on prescriptions and treatment adherence. Underaged participants will require parental consent for participation. The results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at psychiatric conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT07422090.

PMID:42161558 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106685

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