A new study published in the Ageing Research Reviews journal has found that people with dementia are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts than the general population, although prevalence of attempted suicide or death by suicide was approximately the same for both demographics.
Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges that the world now faces, with around 55 million people worldwide affected by it. As well as having an impact on cognitive abilities, those with the disease also often experience debilitating symptoms including depression, anxiety, aggression and anxiety.
These symptoms can occasionally go on to cause elevated emotional distress and suicidal ideation.
The study, carried out by a team of researchers from University College London, analysed 54 previous publications investigating different aspects of mental health in people with dementia between 1991 and 2023, including the prevalence and risk of suicide.
Data was then pooled from 20 studies reporting on suicidal ideation, involving more than 1.5 million people. It was found that ten per cent had experienced suicidal thoughts compared to the World Health Organisation estimate of two per cent for the general population.
It was also found that people with moderate dementia were at an elevated risk of suicidal ideation than those with mild dementia.
However, further reviews led the researchers to conclude that the prevalence of attempted suicide or death by suicide was more or less the same as that of the general population, with 0.8 per cent of dementia patients attempting suicide within a two-year period.
Some 0.1 per cent of people with dementia were found to have died by suicide, while younger people with the disease were approximately three times more likely to be affected than older patients. Men were also significantly more likely to attempt suicide, although less likely to report suicidal ideation.
Lead author of the study Dr Roopal Desai commented on the findings, saying: “Dementia is a growing global health issue as more people live long enough to develop it.
“People with dementia may be at higher risk of having suicidal thoughts and in particular certain groups such as men and younger people with dementia may be more at risk of dying by suicide, but this field has not been well studied.
“The current NICE guidelines for the assessment, management and support of people living with dementia do not mention suicidality in this population or address how to assess or manage this risk. This means that clinicians do not routinely assess or actively manage this risk.
“This review highlights the importance of providing mental health support and suicide prevention in dementia care, with a focus on age, the severity of symptoms, and sex.”
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