Socio-demographic characteristics of persons with psychiatric disorders who committed suicide

Abstract

Introduction. Psychiatric disorders represent an important risk factor for death by suicide. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of psychiatric disorders among the persons who committed suicide in the territory of the City of Nis in the period 2001 - 2010. Additionally, this study aimed to compare the socio-demographic characteristics between persons with and without psychiatric disorders. Material and methods. This retrospective study included 524 persons who committed suicide (330 with and 194 without psychiatric disorders) in the period 2001 - 2010. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, previous suicide attempts, and methods of suicide were obtained from medical and police records (Police Directorate for the City of Nis, and Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia). Results. We studied the incidence of suicides among the persons with psychiatric disorders compared to persons without any medical condition in the studied period. Depression (104, 31.5%) and personality disorders (103, 31.2%) were the most common psychiatric disorders among the persons who committed suicide, whereas only 21 persons (6.36%) had schizophrenia. Persons with psychiatric disorders had a higher level of education, more of them were divorced, had a private source of income and more frequently attempted suicide compared to persons without any diseases (p<0.001). The most common methods of suicide were hanging and poisoning in both investigated groups. Conclusion. Depression was the most common disorder registered among the persons with psychiatric disorders who committed suicide. It is necessary to develop a national strategy for suicide prevention for groups at high risk of suicide.