title: Long-term suicide risk in forensic psychiatric patients.
abstract: The objectives of this study was to describe the rate of suicide and other causes of death in first admissions to a (medium) secure forensic psychiatric facility. All 595 patients were followed up for a maximum of 20 years. Death certificates were obtained and Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated. At the June 2003 census, 57 patients (9.6%) had died of whom 18 (3.0%) had committed suicide; if deaths categorized as open verdicts are included the number rises to 26 (4.4%). The SMR for death by suicide was higher for a Mental Health Act classification of Mental Illness (SMR = 3,553) compared to Psychopathic Disorder (SMR = 1,892). The risks of mortality in this population are high from any cause, particularly from suicide.
authors.affiliation: Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, Kingsway, Derby. drmartinclarke@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Steffan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hollin
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duggan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008134:Long-Term Care; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data