[Risk factors for suicide in patients with disseminated sclerosis]

The purpose of the present study was to describe risk factors for suicide in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study is based on available information about MS-patients identified in the Danish MS Registry with onset of disease in the period 1950-1985. In order to characterize MS suicides with respect to risk factors comparisons were made for male and female suicides, and for various groups of MS suicides according to disability status. The male suicides were characterized by a tendency to commit suicide in the age interval 40-49 years, the use of a violent method, previous suicidal behaviour, previous mental disorder, recent deterioration of MS, and moderate disability. For women the characteristics were less distinct. Patients with a severe course of MS had been subjected to more risk factors before the suicide. Careful counselling and good information to MS-patients are advocated.