Suicide in prisoners with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders: a systematic review.

Journal article

OBJECTIVES: To examine the risk of suicide and suicide attempts in prisoners with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders compared with prisoners without psychiatric disorders. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies comparing suicide outcomes in prisoners with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders to other prisoners. RESULTS: Five studies reported the risk of suicidal outcomes in prisoners with bipolar disorder compared with other prisoners, with a random effects pooled odds ratio of 2.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.6-3.7; I(2) = 0%). This appeared to be lower than the risk of suicidal outcomes for all psychiatric disorders and for depression, specifically, and, in meta-regression, significantly lower (p = 0.03) than for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Although bipolar disorder is associated with suicide and non-fatal suicidal behavior in prisoners, further research is necessary to confirm any associations and mediating mechanisms.

Authors: Fazel, S; Wolf, A; Geddes, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Bipolar disorders
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 491-495
• Publication date: 2013-08-01
• DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12053
• EISSN: 1399-5618
• ISSN: 1398-5647
• Language: English
• Keywords: Bipolar Disorder; Humans; Suicide; Mental Disorders; Prisoners