Does co-morbid personality disorder increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in psychosis?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between co-morbid personality disorder (PD) and suicidal behaviour over a 2-year period in a sample of patients with psychosis.


METHODS
A total of 670 patients with established psychotic illness were interviewed using a battery of instruments including a screen for co-morbid PD. The prevalence of attempted and completed suicide was measured over the next 2 years using multiple data sources. Logistic regression was used to examine whether those with co-morbid PD were at greater risk of suicidal behaviour compared with others.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty six patients (28%) were rated as having a co-morbid PD. After adjusting for all covariates, patients with co-morbid PD were significantly more likely to attempt or complete suicide over the 2-year period (adjusted odds ratio: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.02-3.42).


CONCLUSIONS
Co-morbid PD is independently associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in psychosis. Early assessment of personality status should be part of the routine assessment of all psychiatric patients.
Moran
P
P
Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. paul.moran@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Walsh
E
E
Tyrer
P
P
Burns
T
T
Creed
F
F
Fahy
T
T
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*