Abstract
Background: Suicide has been shown to represent the major single cause of premature death among patients with schizophrenia spectrum
disorders. Insight has been proposed to increase such risk. However, this subject has not been sufficiently investigated, and inconclusive
results have been reported.
Objective: The objective of this study is to systematically examine the role of insight in the risk of suicide attempts and completed suicide
among patients with schizophrenia and related disorders.
Method: Articles assessing insight and suicidality in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders published between 1977 and 2010 were
reviewed. A MEDLINE search strategy was used to identify studies using keywords. Application of meta-analytic techniques to selected
studies was not possible because of important methodological differences between them.
Results: Fifteen studies met predetermined selection criteria. Ten failed to demonstrate a positive association between insight and risk
for suicide.