Prevalence and predictors of parasuicide in chronic psychosis. UK700 group.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimates the prevalence of and risk factors for parasuicide in a large community-based sample of patients with chronic psychosis.


METHODS
A total of 704 subjects with chronic psychosis were interviewed using a battery of instruments. The 2-year prevalence of parasuicide was estimated and a comparison was made between attempters and nonattempters on a wide range of sociodemographic and clinical variables.


RESULTS
The 2-year prevalence of parasuicide was 18.8%. Attempters were significantly more likely to be younger, of white ethnic origin, to have a diagnosis of affective disorder, to be currently depressed, to have experienced more auditory hallucinations and to have received treatment with antipsychotic drugs for a longer period.


CONCLUSIONS
Parasuicide was found to present a considerable clinical problem in this group. Continual risk assessment is essential to reduce this unacceptably high rate.
Walsh
E
E
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Harvey
K
K
White
I
I
Manley
C
C
Fraser
J
J
Stanbridge
S
S
Murray
R M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents