The Wessex Recent In-Patient Suicide Study, 1: Case-Control Study of 234 Recently Discharged Psychiatric Patient Suicides

This paper describes a retrospective case-control study of 234 patients who completed suicide within 1 year of hospital discharge matched for age, gender, diagnosis, & admission period with 431 controls. Odds ratios for identified risk factors were calculated using conditional multiple logistic regression. Independent increased-risk factors included: not being White, living alone, history of deliberate self-harm, & suicidal ideation precipitating admission. Reduced risk factors included: shared accomodation, delusions at admission, & continuity of contact. Discontinuity of care from a significant professional was associated with increased risk of suicide. (22 refs.)