BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increased risk for suicide in adults with schizophrenia, but limited data on younger populations are available. AIMS: We hypothesize that first-episode psychosis is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior in adolescents. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted with patients (n=102) diagnosed with psychosis not otherwised specified (NOS), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia within six months prior to admission. A control group consisting of ninety-eight patients with other (nonpsychosis) psychiatric diagnoses admitted to the same unit was matched by age, gender and ethnicity. All patients and controls were administered the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Children version to assess severity of psychiatric symptoms and suicidality, and medical records were used to assess suicidal behavior and possible risk factors. RESULTS: When compared to controls, patients with psychosis had over twice as many suicide attempts overall (p<0.01). The 32% incidence of suicide attempts reported in this cohort is nearly double what is reported in adults with psychosis. Depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with increased suicide attempts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between the number of pediatric psychosis inpatients versus nonpsychotic psychiatric inpatients who attempted suicide. There was, however, a significant difference between the total number of attempts between groups, illustrating that children and adolescents with psychosis are more likely than nonpsychotic psychiatric inpatients to have repeat, or multiple, suicide attempts. Longer duration of untreated psychosis, ADHD and depressive symptoms were found to be the strongest risk factors for patients with psychosis.
BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increased risk for suicide in adults with schizophrenia, but limited data on younger populations are available. AIMS: We hypothesize that first-episode psychosis is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior in adolescents. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted with patients (n=102) diagnosed with psychosis not otherwised specified (NOS), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia within six months prior to admission. A control group consisting of ninety-eight patients with other (nonpsychosis) psychiatric diagnoses admitted to the same unit was matched by age, gender and ethnicity. All patients and controls were administered the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Children version to assess severity of psychiatric symptoms and suicidality, and medical records were used to assess suicidal behavior and possible risk factors. RESULTS: When compared to controls, patients with psychosis had over twice as many suicide attempts overall (p<0.01). The 32% incidence of suicide attempts reported in this cohort is nearly double what is reported in adults with psychosis. Depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with increased suicide attempts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between the number of pediatric psychosis inpatients versus nonpsychotic psychiatric inpatients who attempted suicide. There was, however, a significant difference between the total number of attempts between groups, illustrating that children and adolescents with psychosis are more likely than nonpsychotic psychiatric inpatients to have repeat, or multiple, suicide attempts. Longer duration of untreated psychosis, ADHD and depressive symptoms were found to be the strongest risk factors for patients with psychosis.
Authors: P J R Power; R J Bell; R Mills; T Herrman-Doig; M Davern; L Henry; H P Yuen; A Khademy-Deljo; P D McGorry Journal: Aust N Z J Psychiatry Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 5.744
Authors: M Nordentoft; P Jeppesen; M Abel; P Kassow; L Petersen; A Thorup; G Krarup; R Hemmingsen; P Jørgensen Journal: Br J Psychiatry Suppl Date: 2002-09
Authors: Kim Kronström; Elina Tiiri; Elina Jokiranta-Olkoniemi; Anne Kaljonen; Andre Sourander Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2019-02-11 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Anthony P Morrison; Melissa Pyle; Daniel Maughan; Louise Johns; Daniel Freeman; Matthew R Broome; Nusrat Husain; David Fowler; Jemma Hudson; Graeme MacLennan; John Norrie; David Shiers; Chris Hollis; Anthony James Journal: Lancet Psychiatry Date: 2020-07-07 Impact factor: 27.083