Suicide attempts among patients with psychosis in a Chinese rural community

Abstract

Objective: To explore the characteristics of psychotic patients with suicide attempts in a Chinese rural community.

Method: An epidemiological investigation of psychotic patients with suicide attempts among 123,572 population (over 15 years of age) was conducted in Xinjin County, Chengdu.

Results: The rate of suicide attempts was found to be 8.17% among all the psychotic patients (906 cases). Patients with affective psychosis showed a significantly higher rate of suicidal attempts (15.3%) than those with schizophrenia (7.5%) (P < 0.005). Suicide attempts were significantly associated with depression and hopelessness in both schizophrenia and affective psychosis (P < 0.001). Patients with suicide attempts were younger and had an earlier age of onset than those without suicide attempts (P < 0.05). Patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders were the major patients with suicide attempts.

Conclusion: The rate of suicide attempts in psychotic patients may be largely influenced by the illness itself. Community-based services should be necessary for these patients.