High Prevalence of Borderline Personality Disorder Among Psychiatric Inpatients Admitted for Suicidality

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with high risk of suicidality and high rates of health care utilization; however, the prevalence and characteristics of BPD among inpatients admitted for suicidality are unknown. In the present study of 72 adult psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicide risk, BPD was highly prevalent (n = 31; 43.1%), but 68% were misdiagnosed by admitting providers. Compared to patients without BPD, those with BPD were significantly younger, were prescribed more psychiatric medications, were more depressed, and had greater suicide ideation. Patients with BPD were also three times as likely to be readmitted to a psychiatric hospital at 30, 90, and 180 days postdischarge for an average of almost 9 days of inpatient care per patient for the first 180 days. In this sample, BPD was highly prevalent, underdiagnosed, and associated with frequent readmissions, findings that highlight the importance of improved recognition and access to specialized treatments.