This study investigated the risk factors for death by suicide in a population in Taiwan with inherently lower rates of the confounding variables of substance abuse & social isolation. 4237 acute inpatients with schizophrenia admitted from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 2000, were followed through 2001 by record linkage to the Death Certification System. Demographic & clinical variation were collected from medical records & formally confirmed at every admission & outpatient follow-up. The peak period for death by suicide was early years after the first admission. (LC) (30 refs)