Prevalence of suicide attempt in individuals with major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of observational surveys

Summary & key facts

This study combined results from 65 observational studies to estimate how common suicide attempts are in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). Across 27,340 people with MDD, the pooled lifetime prevalence of suicide attempt was 31% (95% CI 27–34%). Shorter time estimates were 8% in the past year (95% CI 3–14%) and 24% in the past month (95% CI 15–34%). The authors report that rates differed by patient setting, study region, and country income, and they recommend careful screening and appropriate interventions for suicide attempts in people with MDD.

Key facts:

• The meta-analysis included 65 studies and 27,340 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).
• The pooled lifetime prevalence of suicide attempt (SA) in people with MDD was 31% (95% CI 27–34%).
• The pooled 1-year prevalence of SA was 8% (95% CI 3–14%).
• The pooled 1-month prevalence of SA was 24% (95% CI 15–34%).
• Lifetime prevalence of suicide attempt differed by patient setting, study region, and country income level in subgroup analyses.
• The authors conclude that suicide attempts are common in people with MDD worldwide and state that careful screening and appropriate interventions should be implemented.

Abstract

This meta-analysis confirmed that SA was common in individuals with MDD across the world. Careful screening and appropriate interventions should be implemented for SA in the MDD population.

Topics

Mental Health Treatment and Access Suicide and Self-Harm Studies Treatment of Major Depression

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Clinical psychology Cochrane Library Confidence interval Demography Depression (economics) Economics Environmental health Epidemiology Injury prevention Internal medicine Law Macroeconomics Major depressive disorder Medicine MEDLINE Meta-analysis Mood Observational study Poison control Political science Population Psychiatry PsycINFO Sociology Suicide attempt

Conditions & symptoms

Depression Sadness or low mood