Psoriasis Tied to Risk of Suicidality

Individuals with psoriasis have a higher risk of suicidality than those without psoriasis, according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis. This risk is especially high among patients who are younger and/or have more severe psoriasis.

It is well known that psoriasis is associated with psychiatric comorbidities. However, less is known about the association between psoriasis and suicidality.
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To explore this relationship further, the researchers analyzed patient data from PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A total of 1,767,583 patients—330,207 of whom had psoriasis—enrolled in 18 studies between 1946 and 2017 were included in analysis.

Results indicated that the pooled odds ratio (OR) via random effects modeling for suicidal ideation in patients with psoriasis was 2.05. The researchers found that patients with psoriasis had an increased risk of suicidal behaviors, including attempted and completed suicides, with a pooled OR of 1.26. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with psoriasis had an increased likelihood of suicide attempts and completed suicides vs those without psoriasis.

Factors associated with an increased risk of suicidality had been more severe psoriasis and younger age.

“Patients with psoriasis have a significantly higher likelihood of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicides,” the researchers concluded. “Among patients with psoriasis, those who are younger and whose psoriasis is more severe are at particular risk for suicidality.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Singh S, Taylor C, Kornmehl H, Armstrong AW. Psoriasis and suicidality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(3):425-440.e2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.019.