Suicidality in clinically stable bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Yu Chen Li, Wei Bai, Hong Cai, Yuxuan Wu, Ling Zhang, Yan Hong Ding, Juan Juan Yang, Xiangdong Du, Zhen Tao Zeng, Chang Mou Lu, Ke Xin Feng, Wen Fang Mi, Lan Zhang, Huan Zhong Liu, Lloyd Balbuena, Teris Cheung, Zhaohui Su, Feng Rong An, Yu Tao Xiang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a disproportionate impact on vulnerable subpopulations, including those with severe mental illness (SMI). This study examined the one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide plans (SP), and suicide attempts (SA) in bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) patients during the pandemic. Prevalence rates were compared between the two disorders and associated factors were examined. A survey was conducted in six tertiary psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units. People with a diagnosis of BD or SCZ were invited to participate. SI, SP, and SA (suicidality for short) were assessed and associated factors were examined using binary logistical regression. The 1-year prevalence of SI, SP and SA in BD patients were 58.3%, (95% CI: 54.1–62.6%), 38.4% (95% CI: 34.3–42.6%) and 38.6% (95% CI: 34.5–42.8%), respectively, which were higher than the corresponding figures in SCZ patients (SI: 33.2%, 95% CI: 28.6–37.8%; SP: 16.8%, 95% CI: 13.2–20.5%; SA: 19.4%, 95% CI: 15.5–23.3%). Patients with younger age, experience of cyberbullying, a history of SA among family or friends, a higher fatigue and physical pain score, inpatient status, and severe depressive symptoms were more likely to have suicidality. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased risk of suicidality, particularly in BD patients. It is of importance to regularly screen suicidality in BD and SCZ patients during the pandemic even if they are clinically stable.

Original languageEnglish
Article number303
JournalTranslational Psychiatry
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Biological Psychiatry

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