[Clinical significance of suicidal behaviour in delusional disorder: a 44 case-series descriptive study].

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Suicidal behaviour in delusional disorder (DD) has been poorly studied. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of clinically significant depression, suicidal ideation and behaviour in these patients, and to relate them with psychotic or depressive symptoms.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study including 44 outpatients with DD (DSM-IV-TR) was conducted. Demographic and clinical data, as well as scores in clinical assessment scales: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Personal and Social Performance Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17-item version) and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, were recorded. The sample was divided into 2 groups according to presence or absence of comorbid depression (CD).

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (34.1%) had CD, 14 (31.8%) suicidal ideation and 7 (15.9%) suicidal behaviour in the previous 2 years. Patients with CD had an earlier age at onset and for a first psychiatric appointment, and had higher scores on the PANSS general subscale (p=0,043) and in intensity of suicidal ideation (p=0,001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our sample, patients with DD and CD have more frequently suicidal ideation and behaviour than those without CD.