Suicidality in Parkinson's disease: a controlled study and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Depression and suicidality are prevalent among patients with Parkinson’s disease. The existing clinical studies provide conflicting data on the probability of suicidality in Parkinson’s disease. OBJECTIVE: To compare suicidality in patients with Parkinson’s disease and neurologically healthy controls. METHODS: This study included 100 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 100 neurologically healthy controls. Cognitive performance was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination. Depression severity and suicidality were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Suicide Probability Scale, respectively. Disease-related variables, including disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr stage, levodopa equivalent daily dose, and the presence of subthalamic nucleus-deep brain stimulation, were collected for the Parkinson’s disease group. RESULTS: Parkinson’s disease group demonstrated lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores, similar Beck Depression Inventory scores, and lower Suicide Probability Scale scores compared to controls. In the control group, higher Beck Depression Inventory scores were significantly associated with increased Suicide Probability Scale scores, indicating a relationship between more severe depression and higher suicidality. In Parkinson’s disease group, Suicide Probability Scale scores were significantly correlated with disease duration, levodopa equivalent daily dose, Hoehn-Yahr stage, and Beck Depression Inventory. Longer disease duration, more severe disease, higher levodopa equivalent daily dose levels, and greater depression severity were associated with increased suicidality. SPS scores were lower in the Parkinson’s disease group compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of various risk factors, suicidality appears to be lower in Parkinson’s patients compared to controls. These findings highlight the complex interplay between Parkinson’s disease-related factors and suicidality.