BACKGROUND: A number of studies have reported increased violence in patients with schizophrenia. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of violence among those with schizophrenia in samples from 1949, 1969, 1989 and 2000 in Prague (Czech Republic) and to examine trends in this behaviour. METHOD: Records from 404 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were screened for violence (defined as 3 points on the Modified Overt Aggression Scale) from the first observed psychotic symptoms until the time of latest available information. RESULTS: Logistic regression revealed a marginally significant increase in violence only in the 2000 cohort. Overall, violence was associated with schizophrenia in 41.8% of men and 32.7% of women, with no association between substance misuse and violence. CONCLUSIONS: The violence rate found in our sample is expected to remain stable over time under stable conditions. Substance misuse is not the leading cause of violence among those with schizophrenia.

Psychiatric Clinic 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Ke Karlovu 11 Prague 120 00 Czech Republic

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Violence in persons with and without psychosis in the Czech Republic: risk and protective factors

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