OCD is associated with a substantial risk of suicide, which is largely independent from psychiatric comorbidities. Clinicians should be aware that many patients with OCD may successfully complete suicide even in the absence of other psychiatric comorbidities. A previous suicide attempt was the strongest predictor of dying by suicide in individuals with OCD. Poisoning was the most frequent method used, perhaps because of the availability of prescription drugs. OCD should be added to the list of psychiatric disorders that are known to increase the risk of suicide in their own right. Suicide risk needs to be carefully monitored in these patients, particularly in those who have previously attempted suicide. Our results represent a first step towards the design of preventive and interventional strategies aiming to prevent fatal consequences in this group.
