Association between suicide and multiple sclerosis: An updated meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and suicide risk is a subject of ongoing debate.
• Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding increased suicide rates in MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis to definitively evaluate the risk of suicide in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• To synthesize existing data to provide a clearer understanding of the association between MS and suicide.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up to December 2018.
• Sixteen eligible studies comparing suicide risk in MS patients to the general population were included.
• Random-effects meta-analyses were employed to calculate the pooled suicide rate ratio (SRR) and confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

• A statistically significant association was found between multiple sclerosis and suicide, with a pooled SRR of 1.72 (95% CI 1.48-1.99).
• The risk of suicide was notably higher at the time of MS diagnosis (SRR 2.12, 95% CI 1.84-2.46) compared to symptom onset (SRR 1.69, 95% CI 1.43-2.00).
• Preliminary findings suggest a potential influence of gender, though this requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• This meta-analysis confirms a significant association between multiple sclerosis and an increased risk of suicide.
• The study highlights a critical period of elevated risk around the time of diagnosis.
• Further large-scale research is recommended to validate these findings and explore potential contributing factors like ethnicity and geography.