Suspiciousness as a specific risk factor for major depressive episodes in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Serious depression is a common and important complication of schizophrenia. In a prospective, population-based study, we tested the hypothesis that suspiciousness increases the risk for the later development of depression in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Data came from the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study. Baseline clinical and demographic features were used to predict the onset of new episodes of depression at 1 year follow-up. As ECA diagnoses were based on lay interviews, which may have low sensitivity compared with clinical diagnoses, two overlapping groups of putative schizophrenia patients were defined.


RESULTS
Suspiciousness was associated with an increased risk of new episodes of depression in both patient groups, after accounting for demographic variables. There was no association between an increased risk of depression and either disorganization or hallucinations and delusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Suspiciousness appears to be a specific risk factor for depression in psychotic groups. Interventions that decrease suspiciousness, or mitigate its isolating effects, might decrease the risk of serious depression and suicide.
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Messias
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Kirkpatrick
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Ram
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Tien
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*