Risk for suicide two times higher for those with epilepsy vs. general population

The prevalence of suicide is greater amongst these with epilepsy in contrast with the overall inhabitants, in keeping with a research printed within the journal Epilepsy & Conduct.

Sara Melin, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and colleagues examined the incidence of suicide for folks with epilepsy in Sweden and in contrast incidence with the overall inhabitants. Total, 60,952 people with a analysis of epilepsy had been recognized within the Swedish Affected person Register between 1990 and 2005 and had been alive in 2006; 190 circumstances of suicide had been recorded amongst them.

The researchers discovered that the general suicide incidence amongst folks with epilepsy was 40.0 per 100,000 person-years. Incidence was highest at ages 45 to 64 years (61.3) and appeared greater in males than girls. People with epilepsy had twice the danger for suicide in contrast with the overall inhabitants (standardized mortality ratio, 2.03); the surplus threat was extra pronounced in girls than males (standardized mortality ratios, 2.70 and 1.80, respectively). The most typical technique of suicide was intoxication (50%), adopted by hanging, chopping weapons, and weapons (25% mixed).

“These findings are likely applicable to similar countries,” the authors write. “Moreover, we spotlight the necessity for cautious prescription practices for epilepsy medicines as a result of their potential misuse.”

2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.