Suicidal ideation in inpatients with acute schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Schizophrenia has been associated with a high rate of suicide. This study investigates the prevalence of suicidal ideation in a population of inpatients with acute schizophrenia, together with the clinical parameters associated with suicidal thoughts.


METHODS
We assessed 93 schizophrenia patients. We matched subjects for age and sex and compared subjects with and without suicidal thoughts. We performed stepwise multiple regression analysis to assess the association between specific clinical symptoms and suicidal ideation.


RESULTS
Of the patients, 20.4% reported suicidal thoughts during the last 15 days. Severity of depressive symptoms, motor retardation, guilt feelings, pathological guilt, and self-depreciation predicted the patients' suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Suicidal thoughts are frequent among inpatients with acute schizophrenia. Prevention of suicidal behaviour should include helping patients improve their self-esteem and reducing depression and guilt feelings.
Kontaxakis
Vassilis
V
University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Greece. bkont@eexi.gr
Havaki-Kontaxaki
Beata
B
Margariti
Maria
M
Stamouli
Sophia
S
Kollias
Costas
C
Christodoulou
George
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*