Psoriasis and suicidality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Psychiatry
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Psoriasis is linked to various psychiatric comorbidities.
• The specific relationship between psoriasis and suicidality requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze the existing literature on psoriasis and suicidality.
• To quantify the association between psoriasis and suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicides.
• To identify risk factors contributing to suicidality in psoriasis patients.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases.
• Included studies published between 1946 and 2017.
• Meta-analysis using random effects modeling to pool odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

• 18 studies involving 1,767,583 participants (330,207 with psoriasis) were analyzed.
• Psoriasis patients had a significantly higher odds ratio for suicidal ideation (OR, 2.05) and suicidal behaviors (OR, 1.26).
• Increased risk was observed for suicide attempts (OR, 1.32) and completed suicides (OR, 1.20), with higher risk in younger patients and those with severe psoriasis.

Conclusions:

• Psoriasis is significantly associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicides.
• Younger age and greater psoriasis severity are identified as risk factors for suicidality.
• Further research is needed to explore the link between psoriasis severity and suicidality.