Renaud-Charest, O., et al. (2024).
Diabetes Care, 47(7), 1227–1237.
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.
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.
Here are some thoughts:
Adolescence and young adulthood are critical periods of development, and for youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), these stages are further complicated by the daily demands of managing their condition. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence on the prevalence of and factors associated with suicide-related behaviors in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with T1D. The results showed a prevalence of suicidal ideation of 15.4% and suicide attempts of 3.5% in AYA with T1D, with depressive symptoms and difficulties with T1D self-management being associated with higher rates of suicide-related behaviors.
The findings highlight the need for mental health support and tailored interventions for AYA with T1D, considering the unique challenges they face. The association between glycemic levels and suicide-related behaviors was inconsistent, and social determinants of health were not always accounted for in the studies. The review's limitations include heterogeneity in the meta-analysis and the lack of control groups in most studies. Further research is needed to better understand the evolution of suicide-related behaviors in AYA with T1D and to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.
