Suicide attempts among patients with psychosis in a Chinese rural community

To explore the characteristics of psychotic patients with suicide attempts in a Chinese rural community.

An epidemiological investigation of psychotic patients with suicide attempts among 123,572 population (over 15 years of age) was conducted in Xinjin County, Chengdu.

The rate of suicide attempts was found to be 8.17% among all the psychotic patients (906 cases). Patients with affective psychosis showed a significantly higher rate of suicidal attempts (15.3%) than those with schizophrenia (7.5%) (P < 0.005). Suicide attempts were significantly associated with depression and hopelessness in both schizophrenia and affective psychosis (P < 0.001). Patients with suicide attempts were younger and had an earlier age of onset than those without suicide attempts (P < 0.05). Patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders were the major patients with suicide attempts.

The rate of suicide attempts in psychotic patients may be largely influenced by the illness itself. Community-based services should be necessary for these patients.