Risk factors for suicide in multiple sclerosis: a case-control study

To evaluated the prevalence and the suicide risk in a Brazilian sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to identify potential factors associated with the risk of suicide. A study was performed with outpatient with MS. The risk of suicide and the presence of psychiatric disorders were assessed by version 5.0 of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The sample of patients at risk for suicide was matched by sex and age to a control group of patients with MS.

Results

Eight point three percent of the patients had a past history of attempted suicide, and 8.3% had a current suicide risk, totaling 16.6%. The results of this study suggest that the risk factors associated with suicide in this population are depression, marital status single, widowed or divorced, and lower education level.

Suicide; multiple sclerosis; depression

Characteristics	Case N /mean N = 10	Controls N/mean N = 10
Gender
Females	7	7
Males	3	3
Mean of age in years	43.7 SD = 9.8	44.7 SD = 9.8
Married	3	8	p = 0.035*
Education (mean years)	10.6 SD = 4.9	14.4 SD = 3.3	p = 0.05**
Disease duration	11.7 SD = 6.6	12.8 SD = 2.4	p = 0.25**
EDSS (mean)	3.4 SD = 2.5	2.4 SD = 1.6	P = 0.12**
Interferon beta 1A	7	9	P = 0.26*
Psychiatric comorbidity
Depression	6 (60%)	0	p = 0.004**
Bipolar disorder	1 (10%)	0	p = 0.331*
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)	0	1 (10%)	p = 0.331**
Bulimia	1 (10 %)	0	p = 0.331**
Psychotic symptoms	1 (10%)	0	p = 0.331**
Abuse / dependence of marijuana and cocaine	1 (10%)	0	p = 0.331**
Depression + GAD	1 (10%)	0	p = 0.331**

Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Av. Venceslau Brás, 71 Fundos, 22295-140 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 21) 3873-5510 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: editora@ipub.ufrj.br

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[1] Address for correspondence: Ana Claudia Rodrigues de Cerqueira. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. E-mail: anacerqueira@globo.com