Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with suicidality in male veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at higher risk for suicidality than patients without comorbid PTSD. Participants were 165 male veterans with primary diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Those with comorbid PTSD reported higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors compared to those without comorbid PTSD. These findings suggest that patients with comorbid PTSD are at higher risk for suicidality. Enhanced screening and targeted interventions may be warranted to address comorbid PTSD and increased suicide risk in this population.
Strauss
J L
JL
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care (152), 508 Fulton Street, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. jennifer.strauss@duke.edu
Calhoun
P S
PS
Marx
C E
CE
Stechuchak
K M
KM
Oddone
E Z
EZ
Swartz
M S
MS
Butterfield
M I
MI
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*