Violent behaviour in schizophrenia. Retrospective study of four independent samples from Prague, 1949 to 2000.
BACKGROUND
A number of studies have reported increased violence in patients with schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of violence among those with schizophrenia in samples from 1949, 1969, 1989 and 2000 in Prague (Czech Republic) and to examine trends in this behaviour.


METHODS
Records from 404 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were screened for violence (defined as 3 points on the Modified Overt Aggression Scale) from the first observed psychotic symptoms until the time of latest available information.


RESULTS
Logistic regression revealed a marginally significant increase in violence only in the 2000 cohort. Overall, violence was associated with schizophrenia in 41.8% of men and 32.7% of women, with no association between substance misuse and violence.


CONCLUSIONS
The violence rate found in our sample is expected to remain stable over time under stable conditions. Substance misuse is not the leading cause of violence among those with schizophrenia.
Vevera
Jan
J
Psychiatric Clinic, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 11, Prague 120 00, Czech Republic. janvevera@centrum.cz
Hubbard
Alan
A
Veselý
Arnost
A
Papezová
Hana
H
D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data