[Risk profiles for suicide of schizophrenic and depressive inpatients - a psychological autopsy study].

OBJECTIVE This psychological autopsy study investigates suicide risk factors of schizophrenic and depressive inpatients. METHODS 67 potential risk factors of inpatient suicide were identified by means of literature research and caregiver interviews of schizophrenic and depressive suicidents (1995-2004). The medical records of the suicidents (n = 20) were analysed in respect to the identified risk factors and compared to their respective control group of non-suicidents (n = 20) which was matched by diagnosis, gender, age, year / month of admission and ward. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS In comparison to their respective control group schizophrenic (n = 11) and depressive suicidents (n = 9) differed clearly by their risk profile. Suffering from side effects of medication was found to be a predictor of suicide for schizophrenic inpatients. CONCLUSIONS Psychological autopsy studies are indispensable for the construction of diagnosis-specific risk profiles. Reduction of side effects of medication seems to play a larger role in suicide prevention for schizophrenic inpatients than previously assumed.