Comorbidity of major depressive disorder and personality disorder increase the risk for suicide

Abstract

Introduction

Personality disorder (PD) with an associated diagnostic of major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common occurrence, being considered a factor of treatment resistant depression. In this study, we compare two groups of patients’ one group having Major Depressive Episode (MDD) and the other with MDD and PD as comorbidity.

Methods

This is an observational study of all patients admitted with diagnosis of MDD during one month period in an acute psychiatric hospital. Data collection is made using patients files. During one month period a total number of 105 MDD cases were recorded (group A-75 cases with MDD and group B-30 patients with PD and MDD). The diagnosis was recorded in files by a specialist psychiatrist. Data is analyzed using SPSS v.20.

Results

A significant difference is found when comparing age groups, mean age for group A being 60 years and for group B 35 years (P = 0.05). Regarding suicide attempts a higher prevalence is found in Group B (Group A 6.7%, Group B 20%) although with statistical relevance (P = 0.04). Study limitation: small sample size of group B does not allow analysis on different type of personality disorders, length of hospitalisation could be biased by the requirements of assurance company.

Conclusions

The risk of admission is higher at younger age in patients with MDD associated with PD then in MDD alone. The risk of suicide attempts is significantly higher in group of MDD associated with PD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.