Risk factors of suicide among schizophrenics.
This case control study included 74 Chinese schizophrenics (DSM-III criteria) who died of suicide and 74 age- and sex-matched nonsuicide schizophrenics. Sociodemographic variables were unrelated with suicide. Associations were found between suicide and severity of illness (more frequent admissions, higher dose of medication and earlier appointments), history of major depressive episodes and suicidal attempts, last admission for reasons other than schizophrenic symptoms alone, and suicidal ideas on mental state examination. The last 2 factors, together with the maintenance dose of medication, were identified as the most important risk factors by logistic regression analysis.
Cheng
K K
KK
Department of Community Medicine, University of Hong Kong.
Leung
C M
CM
Lo
W H
WH
Lam
T H
TH
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000401:mortality*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data