FREQUENCY OF SUICIDAL IDEATION IN DIAGNOSED CASES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder associated with high morbidity and premature mortality, with suicide being a major contributor. Globally, 20% to 40% of individuals with schizophrenia attempt suicide at least once in their lifetime. Despite the severity of this concern, limited research has been conducted locally to assess the burden of suicidal ideation among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. This study aims to address this gap and support future preventive strategies and interventions. Objective: To determine the frequency of suicidal ideation in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, from July 5, 2024, to January 4, 2025. A total of 142 patients (68 males, 74 females), aged 18–60 years and diagnosed with schizophrenia per DSM-5 criteria, were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients with substance abuse, intellectual disability, or neurological disorders were excluded. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, with a score of ≥7 taken as the cutoff. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.00 ± 10.63 years, with 64.8% under 40 years of age. Females constituted 52.1% of the sample. A BMI above 25.0 kg/m² was observed in 44.4% of cases. Suicidal ideation was present in 33 patients (23.2%). Significant associations were found between suicidal ideation and BMI (p = 0.032) as well as profession (p = 0.001), while other variables showed no statistically significant correlation. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with schizophrenia reported suicidal ideation, particularly among those with higher BMI and salaried occupations. These findings highlight the need for targeted screening and intervention strategies to mitigate suicide risk in this vulnerable population.