A major hurdle in the prevention of suicide in schizophrenia is the difficulty in evaluating the risk of suicidal behaviors. Researchers conducted a post-hoc analysis of a large, three-year, multinational outpatient health outcomes study to identify risk factors for suicide among patients with schizophrenia. Their novel result -- prolactin-related adverse events, especially gynecomastia, galactorrhrea, and amenorrhea, were identified as suicide risk factors among women with schizophrenia.
RESULT: Risk factors for suicide behaviors in the observational schizophrenia outpatient health outcomes (SOHO) study
BMC Psychiatry | Jul 19, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)
Risk assessment tools also do well in predicting violent behavior and in ruling out those at low risk of violent or antisocial behavior, according to this large systematic review and meta-analysis. The authors suggest the best ways to use these tools to assess violence, sexual, or criminal risks.
RESULT: Use of risk assessment instruments to predict violence and antisocial behaviour in 73 samples involving 24 827 people: systematic review and meta-analysis
British Medical Journal | Jul 24, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)
