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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Feb;53(1):163-184.
doi: 10.1111/sltb.12931. Epub 2022 Nov 16.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of suicidal behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Rahat Akbar  1 , Vikas Arya  2 , Elizabeth Conroy  1 , Holly C Wilcox  3 , Andrew Page  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of suicidal behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Rahat Akbar et al. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and (i) death by suicide, (ii) attempted suicide (AS), and (iii) suicidal ideation (SI).

Methods: The systematic review identified seven studies on PTSD and suicide, 33 studies for AS, and 20 studies for SI. A series of stratified meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled effects, in addition to meta-regression to investigate sources of heterogeneity.

Results: A higher relative risk of suicide was evident among those diagnosed with PTSD (RR = 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-3.94]), with strongest associations among combat veterans (RR = 3.97, 95% CI 2.22-7.10). A lower relative risk of suicide among those with PTSD and co-morbid psychiatric conditions was evident (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.86). A strong association between PTSD and attempted suicide (RR = 4.05, 95% CI 3.14-5.23) and suicidal ideation (RR = 2.91, 95% CI 2.22-3.82) was also found, with a consistently strong association among those with co-morbid psychiatric conditions and non-clinical cohorts.

Conclusion: This review found a strong association between PTSD and death by suicide, attempted suicide, and suicidal ideation, and also suicide among veteran populations. Early identification and treatment of PTSD across both clinical and non-clinical cohorts should be a priority for suicide prevention.

Keywords: attempted suicide; posttraumatic stress disorder; suicidal ideation; suicide.

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