Predictors of suicide in psychiatric hospital

Objective: About 5% of all suicides occur in psychiatric hospitals. The aim of this study was to look for potential characteristics common to patients who committed suicide in psychiatric hospital. Method: All patients who committed suicide in University Psychiatric Hospit al in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in the period 1984-1993 were included. The suici dal patients (SP) with schizophrenia (SCH) and affective psychoses (AP) wer e compared to an age-, sex- and diagnosis-matched control group. Data from files and (in control patients) patient interviews were gathered. Multivari ate logistic regression analysis was used. Results: A total of 79 patients (34 males and 45 females) committed suicide . The majority of them had SCH (n = 36) and AP (n = 23). The predictors of suicide among patients with AP and SCH were depression and lack of insight and, in addition in patients with SCH, past suicidal behaviour and poor rel ationships with family members. Conclusion: This study provides the clinician with information on risk fact ors for in-patient suicide.