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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Assessing the risk for suicide in schizophrenia according to migration, ethnicity and geographical ancestry

Authors: Nuwan C. Hettige, Ali Bani-Fatemi, James L. Kennedy, Vincenzo De Luca

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Suicide is a leading cause of mortality among those afflicted by schizophrenia. Previous studies demonstrated that the stressors associated with immigration may lead to an onset of schizophrenia and suicide separately in susceptible individuals. However, no studies have shown whether immigration may lead to suicidal behaviour for individuals with schizophrenia. Our study proposes that an individual’s geographical ancestry, ethnicity or migration status may be predictive of suicide risk in schizophrenia.

Methods

In a sample of 276 participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, we conducted cross-sectional assessments to collect clinical information. Self-identified ethnicity and suicide history were collected through self-report questionnaires and interview-based scales. Ancestry was identified using 292 genetic markers from HapMap. Migrants were classified as those who immigrated to Canada during their lifetime. Using a regression analysis, we tested whether a history of migration, ethnicity or geographical ancestry were predictive of a history of suicide attempts.

Results

Our analysis failed to demonstrate a significant relationship between suicide history and migration, ethnicity or ancestry. However, ethnicity appears to be significantly associated with the number of psychiatric hospitalizations in our sample.

Conclusion

Ethnicity and migration history are not predictive of previous suicide attempts. Ethnicity may be an important demographic factor affecting access to mental health resources and frequency of hospitalizations.
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Metadata
Title
Assessing the risk for suicide in schizophrenia according to migration, ethnicity and geographical ancestry
Authors
Nuwan C. Hettige
Ali Bani-Fatemi
James L. Kennedy
Vincenzo De Luca
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1180-3

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