Suicidality schizophrenia-related

Older persons account for one-third of all suicides in the United States even though this group represents only 12% of the population ( 36). Suicide is even more often related to major depression in the elderly than in younger individuals in whom other causes such as substance abuse, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders often play a major role. In fact, suicide rates are highest in older white men relative to any other segment of the population. For example, white men older than 85 years age commit suicide 30 times as frequently as black women. 

Nolan KA, Volavka J, Czobor P, Cseh A, Lachman H, et al. 2001. Suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia is related to COMT polymorphism. Psychiatr Genet 10 117-124. 

Psychiatric The incidence of suicide-related events in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder taking aripiprazole has been studied using administrative data from three US sources [65 "]. Suicide attempts and death by suicide were assessed in patients aged at least 18 years. Among 20489 antipsychotic drug users (8985 patient-years), unadjusted suicide event rates per 1000 patient-years were 21 for aripiprazole 24 for olanzapine 32 for quetiapine 20 for risperidone and 49 for ziprasidone. Compared with current users of the other antipsychotic... 

Akathisia has been related to suicidality and a study of first-episode patients with schizophrenia treated with haloperidol or risperidone found a positive relationship between suicidality and akathisia scores [45 ]. 

Observational studies A phase 111 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of levetiracetam in 217 children and adults with primary generalized seizures. The most common adverse effects reported by >10% participants were headache and nasopharyngitis. The most frequent treatment-associated adverse effects were headache (4.6%), dizziness and depression (both 4.1%). Serious adverse effects related to treatment with levetiracetam 4.6% of patients experienced convulsion, atrial fibrillation, epilepsy, depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation, erythematous rash, and status epilepticus. One patient each discontinued due to the following adverse effects arrhythmia, convulsions, tremor, aggression, depression, psychosis, and exanthem. One patient with worsening of comorbid schizophrenia committed suicide it had been 43 days since he had last taken levetiracetam at the time [87 -]. 

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