Prevalence of suicide attempts in bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract

Original Article *These authors contributed equally to the work.Cite this article: Dong M et al (2020). Prevalence of suicide attempts in bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 29, e63, 1-9. https://doi. AbstractAims. Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with a high risk of suicide. This meta-analysis examined the prevalence of suicide attempts (SA) in patients with BD and its associated factors. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Web of Science databases from their inception to 11 June 2018. The prevalence of SA in BD was synthesised using the random-effects model. Results. The search identified 3451 articles of which 79 studies with 33 719 subjects met the study entry criteria. The lifetime prevalence of SA was 33.9% (95% CI 31.3-36.6%; I 2 = 96.4%). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that the lifetime prevalence of SA was positively associated with female gender, BD-I, BD Not Otherwise Specified and rapid cycling BD subtypes, income level and geographic region. Conclusion. This meta-analysis confirmed that SA is common in BD and identified a number of factors related to SA. Further efforts are necessary to facilitate the identification and prevention of SA in BD. Long-term use of mood stabilisers coupled with psycho-social interventions should be available to BD patients to reduce the risk of suicidal behaviour.

Prevention of suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder

“…For mood disorder patients, previous suicide attempt is a most powerful predictor of future suicidal behavior: approximately, 40% of people die of suicide after a previous suicide attempt 2,26–28 . Moreover, risk of suicide after an attempt has been estimated at 1.6% within a year of an attempt and about 4% within 5 years, whereas the risk for an another attempt was about 16% within 1 year 28,29 . We found in an international mood‐disorder population of about 8,500 subjects, a repeated suicide attempt in 13% of the cases 30 .…”

“…We found in an international mood‐disorder population of about 8,500 subjects, a repeated suicide attempt in 13% of the cases 30 . In addition, as in the general population of most countries, men are more likely to complete suicide and women to attempt it 2,16,25,29 . Risk of suicidal behavior is especially high at younger ages, particularly within the initial few years after illness onset, and sometimes even before diagnosis 25,29–32 .…”

“…In addition, as in the general population of most countries, men are more likely to complete suicide and women to attempt it 2,16,25,29 . Risk of suicidal behavior is especially high at younger ages, particularly within the initial few years after illness onset, and sometimes even before diagnosis 25,29–32 . Younger age at illness onset is also associated with suicidal risk with BD, but its significance is confounded by longer risk exposure 15 …”

Bipolar-associated miR-499-5p controls neuroplasticity by downregulating the Cav1.2 L-type voltage gated calcium channel subunit CACNB2

“…Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe and chronic mood disorder defined by recurring (hypo)manic and depressive episodes. It represents a highly debilitating condition leading to cognitive impairments and an especially high risk for suicide deaths (1,2). BD has one of the highest heritability rates among mental illnesses (3).…”

Changes in Non-Coding RNA in Depression and Bipolar Disorder: Can They Be Used as Diagnostic or Theranostic Biomarkers?

“…In addition to these affective symptoms, sufferers may also experience severe cognitive deficits and psychotic symptoms, further disrupting their ability to function within society [1]. Finally, both disorders are associated with an increased risk of suicide with estimates of 31% of people with MDD and 34% of people with BD attempting suicide over their lifetime [2,3]. Exacerbating this problem, some of the drugs developed to treat these illnesses are associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation [4].…”