Citation

Koubaa I, Aden MO, Barrimi M. Ann. Med. Surg. (Lond.) 2023; 85(6): 2528-2533.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Surgical Associates, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1097/MS9.0000000000000771

PMID

37363523

PMCID

PMC10289528

Abstract

Suicide is an important cause of death among patients affected by schizophrenia. The lifetime prevalence is 10-15%. The identification of factors associated with suicide attempts will help to identify preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce the toll of suicide. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of suicide attempts and their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in Moroccan patients with schizophrenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of patients admitted to our Hospital of Psychiatry in Morocco, between year and year, with adiagnosis f schizophrenia.

RESULTS: In our sample (n=304), 65 (21.4%) had attempted suicide. Suicide attempts were significantly and positively associated with a family history of bipolar disorder, comorbidity with a substance use disorder, a relatively short duration of treatment, poor adherence to medication, and severe general, positive, and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: The prevention of suicide risk requires the effective management of depressive and addictive comorbidities, the reduction of schizophrenia symptoms through appropriate treatment and an effort to improve adherence.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; substance use; depression; medication adherence; positive symptoms