Suicidal thoughts in epilepsy: A community-based study in Brazil

Epilepsy has been associated with increased risk of suicide; however, few studies have examined the relationship between epilepsy and suicidal behavior. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy and to identify characteristics that are associated with suicidal ideation in epilepsy. Of 171 people with epilepsy identified in a previous survey, 139 were included. A structured interview was conducted, and a second psychiatric evaluation was scheduled for those who agreed. The frequencies of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts during lifetime were 36.7, 18.2, and 12.1%, respectively. The following conditions were strongly associated with suicidal thoughts: anxiety (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4–7.5, P = 0.001), depression (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.9–12.5, P = 0.001), and two or more standardized psychiatric diagnoses (OR = 21.6, 95% CI = 4.4–105.9, P < 0.0001). Although specific characteristics of epilepsy were found to be related to suicidal thoughts, psychiatric diseases also play an essential role.