Risk for Suicide Two Times Higher for Those With Epilepsy Versus General Population
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2024 -- The prevalence of suicide is higher among those with epilepsy compared with the general population, according to a study published in the December issue of Epilepsy & Behavior.
Sara Melin, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and colleagues examined the incidence of suicide for people with epilepsy in Sweden and compared incidence with the general population. Overall, 60,952 individuals with a diagnosis of epilepsy were identified in the Swedish Patient Register between 1990 and 2005 and were alive in 2006; 190 cases of suicide were recorded among them.
The researchers found that the overall suicide incidence among people with epilepsy was 40.0 per 100,000 person-years. Incidence was highest at ages 45 to 64 years (61.3) and seemed higher in men than women. Individuals with epilepsy had twice the risk for suicide compared with the general population (standardized mortality ratio, 2.03); the excess risk was more pronounced in women than men (standardized mortality ratios, 2.70 and 1.80, respectively). The most common method of suicide was intoxication (50 percent), followed by hanging, cutting weapons, and guns (25 percent combined).
"These findings are likely applicable to similar countries," the authors write. "Additionally, we highlight the need for cautious prescription practices for epilepsy medications due to their potential misuse."
Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted November 2024
Read this next
Dietary Patterns May Be Associated With Depressive Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, June 4, 2025 -- Dietary patterns seem to be associated with depressive symptoms, according to a study published online June 3 in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention &...
Quality Improvement Strategy Improves Depression, Anxiety Screening With Epilepsy
WEDNESDAY, June 4, 2025 -- A quality improvement strategy can improve electronic health record-based screening for depression and anxiety in people with epilepsy, according to a...
Depression Across the Life Course Linked to Increased Risk for Dementia
TUESDAY, June 3, 2025 -- Depression across the life course is associated with an increased risk for dementia, according to a study published online May 29 in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.