Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempts, and Suicide Deaths in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Evidence is lacking on the risk of suicide-related behaviors (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, suicide death) in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). PURPOSE We aimed to 1) determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with T1D aged 10–24 years; 2) compare suicide-related behavior prevalence in youth with and without T1D; and 3) identify factors associated with suicide-related behaviors. DATA SOURCES A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo up to 3 September 2023. STUDY SELECTION We included observational studies where investigators reported the prevalence of suicide-related behaviors among AYA aged 10–24 years with T1D. DATA EXTRACTION We collected data on study characteristics, data on prevalence of suicide-related behaviors, and data on associated factors. DATA SYNTHESIS We included 31 studies. In AYA with versus without T1D, pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation was 15.4% (95% CI 10.0–21.7; n = 18 studies) vs. 11.5% (0.4–33.3; n = 4), respectively, and suicide attempts 3.5% (1.3–6.7; n = 8) vs. 2.0% (0.0–6.4; n = 5). Prevalence of suicide deaths ranged from 0.04% to 4.4% among youth with T1D. Difficulties with T1D self-management were frequently reported to be associated with higher rates of suicide-related behaviors. However, findings on the association of glycemic levels and suicide-related behaviors were inconsistent. LIMITATIONS There was a considerable level of heterogeneity in meta-analysis of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are prevalent in AYA with T1D. Current evidence does not suggest that these rates are higher among AYA with T1D than rates among those without.