Clinical Variables Related to Suicide Attempts in Schizophrenic Patients: a Retrospective Study

In this study, the authors investigated the possible association between clinical or pharmacological variables & suicidal behavior in a sample of chronic schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder patients. Demographic & clinical variables were analyzed & compared according to the presence/absence of suicidal attempts. Attempters had a significantly higher rate of nicotine abuse or dependence, were more likely to have had lifetime major depressive episodes & a duration of untreated psychosis, & were more frequently prescribed typical antipsychotics than non-attempters. (39 refs)