Depression and suicidal ideation in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study from a lower middle-income country / M. Omair Husaina, Imran B. Chaudhry, Zainib Khanf, Ameer B. Khosoc, Tayyeba Kiranc, Paul Bassettg, M. Ishrat Husaina, Rachel Upthegroveh, Nusrat Husain

Bibliografía: p.249-251

Objectives: Depression has long been considered a significant feature of schizophrenia and is associated with more frequent psychotic episodes, increased service utilisation, substance misuse, poor quality of life and completed suicide. However, there is a distinct lack of literature on this comorbidity from low- and middle-income countries or non-western cultural backgrounds.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a large randomised controlled trial,examining the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. A total of 298 participants were recruited from inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants completed the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Euro Qol (EQ-5D) and Social Functioning Scale (SFS).
Results: Data indicate that 36% of participants in the study were depressed and 18% endorsed suicidal ideation. Depression was associated with higher positive symptom scores and reduced quality of life, but no significant difference in negative symptoms and social functioning.
Conclusions: Depression and suicidal ideation are prevalent in Pakistani patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Evaluation of depressive symptoms in this group may help identify individuals at higher risk of completed suicide, allowing for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.