Citation

Chan SS, Chiu HF, Chen EY, Chan WS, Wong PW, Chan CL, Law YW, Yip PS. Psychiatr. Serv. 2009; 60(8): 1135-1138.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ground Floor, Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, 9 Chuen On Rd., Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong. schan@cuhk.edu.hk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.60.8.1135

PMID

19648205

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the population-attributable risk (PAR) of completed suicide among Hong Kong Chinese with axis I psychiatric diagnoses. METHODS: With a case-control psychological autopsy method, 150 suicide decedents aged 15-59 were compared for axis I psychiatric diagnoses and psychosocial variables with 150 randomly selected age- and gender-matched persons living in the community. RESULTS: In the presence of other, non-disease-related social risk factors (unemployment and unmanageable debt), past suicide attempt independently accounted for 44% of the PAR of suicide, followed by current major depressive disorder (27%), schizophrenia spectrum disorders (22%), and substance use disorder or pathological gambling (16%). Other diagnoses (such as anxiety and phobic disorders, dysthymia, adjustment disorders, and past major depressive episode) accounted for 24% of PAR. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric morbidity remains the major risk factor for suicide in Hong Kong despite well-developed psychiatric services. Mental health policy should be refined to target clinical groups at high risk of suicide.

Language: en