XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
 Latest Research
 Cancer
 Psychiatry
  Depression
  Neuropsychiatry
  Personality Disorders
  Bulimia
  Anxiety
  Substance Abuse
  Suicide
  CFS
  Psychoses
  Child Psychiatry
  Learning-Disabilities
  Psychology
  Forensic Psychiatry
  Mood Disorders
  Sleep Disorders
  Peri-Natal Psychiatry
  Psychotherapy
  Anorexia Nervosa
 Genetics
 Surgery
 Aging
 Ophthalmology
 Gynaecology
 Neurosciences
 Pharmacology
 Cardiology
 Obstetrics
 Infectious Diseases
 Respiratory Medicine
 Pathology
 Endocrinology
 Immunology
 Nephrology
 Gastroenterology
 Biotechnology
 Radiology
 Dermatology
 Microbiology
 Haematology
 Dental
 ENT
 Environment
 Embryology
 Orthopedics
 Metabolism
 Anaethesia
 Paediatrics
 Public Health
 Urology
 Musculoskeletal
 Clinical Trials
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cytology
 Traumatology
 Rheumatology
 
 Medical News
 Health
 Opinion
 Healthcare
 Professionals
 Launch
 Awards & Prizes
 
 Careers
 Medical
 Nursing
 Dental
 
 Special Topics
 Euthanasia
 Ethics
 Evolution
 Odd Medical News
 Feature
 
 World News
 Tsunami
 Epidemics
 Climate
 Business
Search

Last Updated: Nov 17th, 2006 - 22:35:04
Systematic Review
British Journal of Psychiatry

Suicide Channel
subscribe to Suicide newsletter

Latest Research : Psychiatry : Suicide

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
Schizophrenia and suicide: systematic review of risk factors.
Jul 5, 2005, 22:23, Reviewed by: Dr.

Positive psychotic symptoms were not associated with increased risk. Indeed, hallucinations were actually associated with decreased risk, as were delusions. It is likely that the negative symptoms of schizophrenia are also associated with decreased risk of suicide.

 
The most comprehensive review of the international evidence to date on suicide in schizophrenia has found that the key risk factors are: depression, previous suicide attempts, drug misuse, agitation or restlessness, fear of mental disintegration, poor compliance with treatment and recent loss.

Suicide risk is greatly increased in schizophrenia, and detection of those at risk is clinically important. Published in the July issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, this study systematically reviewed the world literature on patients with schizophrenia or related conditions in which suicide was reported.

28 eligible studies were identified. It was found that suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia was related less to the core psychotic symptoms of the disorder, such as hallucinations and delusions, and more to affective symptoms, agitation or restlessness, and to awareness that the illness was affecting mental functioning.

Previous suicidal behaviour was a strong risk factor. Drug misuse and loss also appeared to increase risk. Compliance with treatment was important in reducing risk.

Positive psychotic symptoms were not associated with increased risk. Indeed, hallucinations were actually associated with decreased risk, as were delusions. It is likely that the negative symptoms of schizophrenia are also associated with decreased risk of suicide.

Although this meta-analysis has shown that some of the risk factors for suicide in schizophrenia are similar to those for suicide in the general population, it has highlighted certain risk factors that are clearly specific to schizophrenia and its consequences.

The risk for suicide in men compared with women with schizophrenia of 1.57 is somewhat less than the ratio observed in the general populations of most countries. In contrast to the risk in the general population, being single or divorced was not associated with greater risk.

The living circumstances of patients appeared to be important, in that those living alone, or not living with their families, were at increased risk, a finding that might reflect the severity of the disorder.

Life events in the form of recent losses appear to be associated with suicide risk in patients, as is the case for suicide risk in general.

The most robust findings were of risk of suicide being strongly associated with affective disorders, such as depression; specific affective symptoms (agitation, sense of worthlessness and hopelessness); a history of suicidal thinking; threats of suicide; and (especially) non-fatal suicidal acts.

Further support for the importance of depression as a risk factor came from the positive association of risk with a family history of affective disorders. A family history of suicide was also a risk factor in the largest study that examined this area.

The meta-analysis provides some support for the idea that a higher level of education is associated with suicide risk, and this may also be the case with higher IQ. Fear of mental disintegration was also associated with increased risk.

Surprisingly, given the significance of alcohol misuse as a major risk factor for suicide in the general population, it does not appear to be a risk factor in schizophrenia. On the other hand, drug misuse or dependence was strongly associated with risk. Drug misuse is twice as common among people with schizophrenia as in the general population.

Suicide risk is considerably increased in patients who adhere poorly to treatment. Prevention of suicide is likely to result from active treatment of affective symptoms; improving compliance with treatment; use of medication that may have special anti-suicidal effects; and maintaining special vigilance in patients with risk factors, especially after significant loss events.
 

- Hawton, K., Sutton, L., Haw, C., Sinclair, J. and Deeks, J.D. (2005) Schizophrenia and suicide: systematic review of risk factors. British Journal of Psychiatry, 187, 9-20.
 

bjp.rcpsych.org

 
Subscribe to Suicide Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 

The British Journal of Psychiatry is one of the world's leading psychiatric journal and an essential companion to clinical practice and research. It covers all branches of the subject, with an overriding concern to improve the prevention, investigation, diagnosis, treatment and care of mental illness, and the promotion of mental health throughout the world. In addition to the best international research papers, the journal incudes literature reviews, editorial, a comprehensive book review section and a lively and well-informed correspondence column. A series of supplements, free to subscribers, provides extensive in-depth coverage of selected areas. The British Journal of Psychiatry is available in print and online.

Related Suicide News

Antidepressants are of questionable benefit in teenage suicide cases
Cancer survivors at risk for suicidal thoughts
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) reduced suicide attempts by half - Study
Oldest Description of Suicidal Thoughts found in an Egyptian Poem
Babies born in spring may face suicide risk
Children of men with stressful jobs face suicide risk
Grieving parents at higher suicide risk
Suicide: Practice and Perfection
Anxiety Disorders Increase Risk Of Suicide
Substantial underrecognition of mental illness in emergency departments following self harm


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us