Risk of Suicidality in People with Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Abstract

Background

Psoriasis has been associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, but its relationship with suicidality (including suicide, suicide attempt, and suicidal ideation) is unclear.

Objective

Our objective was to assess the risk of suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and suicidality in people with psoriasis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies examining the risk of suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and suicidality in people with psoriasis. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception to 24 March 2017. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed the quality of included studies, and extracted data. Any disagreement was resolved by discussion with a third author.

Results

Five population-based cohort studies were included and considered to be of high quality. We found no increase in the risk of suicide (risk ratio [RR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.46), suicide attempt (RR 1.25; 95% CI 0.89–1.75), or suicidality (RR 1.26; 95% CI 0.97–1.64) among people with psoriasis. In the stratified analysis, we also found no increase in suicide, suicide attempt, and suicidality among people with either severe or mild psoriasis.

Conclusions

The available limited, very low-quality evidence does not support an association between psoriasis and suicidal thought and behavior. Further studies that provide data for different age and sex groups are needed to clarify whether a subgroup of patients with psoriasis has an elevated risk of suicidality.

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