Worldwide incidence of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus

The presence of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and fatalities in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in various populations, with different studies showing varying rates. This meta-analysis aims to assess the global prevalence of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths among individuals diagnosed with SLE. A comprehensive search of articles was conducted across several literature databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, to identify relevant studies. The literature search was completed on December 6, 2023. The presence of publication bias was assessed using Egger’s regression analysis along with funnel plots, while Cochrane Q statistics and I square (I2) values were utilized to analyze heterogeneity. All statistical evaluations were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software version 4. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven studies encompassing 1,515 SLE patients were analyzed to assess the prevalence of systemic inflammation (SI). The analysis revealed a 16.8 percent prevalence in the studied populations. Similarly, a total of four and six studies enrolled 3196 and 4134 SLE patients for the calculation of SA and actual suicide frequency in SLE patients, respectively, and the analysis revealed a 2.7 percent and 0.9 percent prevalence of SA and suicidal death, respectively. The current meta-analysis indicates that nearly 17% of SLE patients experience suicidal thoughts, 3% have attempted suicide, and about 1% of SLE patients have died by suicide. To prevent suicidal attempts among SLE patients, clinicians must screen their patients for suicidal ideation and refer them to the appropriate mental health providers.