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Schwinn T, Paul RH, Hirschmiller J, Brähler E, Wiltink J, Zwerenz R, O'Connor RC, Wild PS, Münzel T, König J, Geschke K, Moehler M, Konstantinides S, Justenhoven C, Lackner KJ, Pfeiffer N, Beutel ME, Ernst M. Prevalence of current suicidal thoughts and lifetime suicide attempts in individuals with cancer and other chronic diseases in Germany: Evidence for differential associations from a representative community cohort. J Affect Disord 2024; 367:193-201. [PMID: 39178957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research indicates an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among individuals with cancer, but community-based studies on the prevalence of STBs in comparison to the general population and other chronic diseases are lacking. METHODS Data was drawn from the representative population-based, prospective Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Participants (N = 12,382; age: M = 59.5, SD = 10.8; 48.9 % women) completed highly standardized medical assessments and validated questionnaires such as the PHQ-9. In addition to prevalence estimates (stratified by STBs and gender), logistic regression models were calculated (controlling for confounders). RESULTS The sample included 1910 individuals with cancer, 8.2 % of whom reported current suicidal thoughts and 2.0 % reported lifetime suicide attempts. There was neither a significant association between a cancer diagnosis and suicidal thoughts (p = .077) nor suicide attempts (p = .17) in models adjusting for age, gender, and income. Other chronic diseases were linked to suicidal thoughts and attempts only in men. LIMITATIONS Although the investigation of the two kinds of STB are a strength of the study, the items' different time frames complicate comparisons. In addition, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to understand observed relationships and to identify periods of risk. CONCLUSION This study expands the evidence base regarding the vulnerability to STBs in individuals with cancer, including long-term survivors. It highlights their heterogeneity, differential risk factors underlying suicidal thoughts and attempts, and the relevance of other (contextual) factors shaping an individual's susceptibility to suicidal crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Schwinn
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Roman H Paul
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Judith Hirschmiller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Elmar Brähler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Wiltink
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Zwerenz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rory C O'Connor
- Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp S Wild
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine - Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; Department of Cardiology - Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochem König
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Geschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Moehler
- I. Dept. Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stavros Konstantinides
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christina Justenhoven
- Cancer Registry of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Institute of Digital Health Data gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Karl J Lackner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manfred E Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mareike Ernst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
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Appel JE, van Wijngaarden E, Dezutter J. Tiredness of Life - Conceptualizing a Complex Phenomenon. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241268815. [PMID: 39054766 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241268815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
A phenomenon referred to as 'tiredness of life' or 'weariness of life' appears in current discussions on the legitimacy of euthanasia for relatively healthy older adults as well as in research on suicidality more broadly. However, a consensus conceptualization of the phenomenon is lacking. In the current paper, we offer such a conceptualization by reviewing and integrating knowledge from terminology, available descriptions, and first qualitative findings. Boredom with life, aversion towards life, meaninglessness, and fatigue are identified as central components of the phenomenon. Per component, we describe how the component was identified, our definition of the component and its foundation in descriptions in the literature, and empirical studies on how the component relates to euthanasia requests and suicidality. Moreover, hypotheses on the structure of the phenomenon are outlined, such as on interactions among and the importance of the different components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E Appel
- Meaning Research Late Life Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els van Wijngaarden
- Meanings of Ageing and Dying Lab, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jessie Dezutter
- Meaning Research Late Life Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Ernst M, Schwinn T, Hirschmiller J, Cleare S, Robb KA, Brähler E, Zwerenz R, Wiltink J, O'Connor RC, Beutel ME. To what extent are psychological variables considered in the study of risk and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviours in individuals with cancer? A systematic review of 70 years of research. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 109:102413. [PMID: 38518584 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Psychological variables substantially shape the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs). However, it is unclear to what extent they are considered in individuals with cancer. We synthesized the quantitative research landscape concerning psychological risk/protective factors of STBs in the (psycho-) oncological context. This pre-registered review (PROSPERO-ID CRD42022331484) systematically searched the databases PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (as well as the grey literature and preprints). Risk of bias (RoB) was estimated using the ROBINS-I tool. Of 11,159 retrieved records, 319 studies were eligible for inclusion. Of those, 163 (51.1%) had investigated psychological factors (affective: n = 155; social: n = 65; cognitive: n = 63; personality/individual differences: n = 37; life events: n = 6), in a combined 3,561,741 participants. The most common STBs were suicidal ideation (n = 107) or death wishes (n = 20) rather than behaviour (suicide deaths: n = 26; attempts: n = 14). Most studies had a serious RoB. Thus, a large body of research investigated STBs in cancer patients/survivors, but it rarely aligned with the theoretical or clinical developments in suicide research. We propose a conceptual model of STBs in cancer delineating moderation and mediation effects to advance the integration of the fields, and to inform future research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ernst
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria; Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Tamara Schwinn
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Judith Hirschmiller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Seonaid Cleare
- Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn A Robb
- Cancer Behaviour Research Group, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Elmar Brähler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Zwerenz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jörg Wiltink
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rory C O'Connor
- Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Manfred E Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Chen J, Ping Z, Hu D, Wang J, Liu Y. Risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1287290. [PMID: 38259550 PMCID: PMC10800839 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary and analysis of the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among cancer patients. Methods This review adhered to the PICO/S framework and guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework (PROSPERO CRD42023433639). We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library from the establishment date of the databases until June 9, 2023 for observational studies that reveal risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among cancer patients. Software Review Manager 5 (vision 5.4) was used for Meta-analyses. Results 4,921 studies were obtained through the search of the databases, 40 of which were eligible. Meta-analysis revealed that suicidal ideation in cancer patients was significantly associated with marital status, living alone, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, education, psychiatric illness history, social functioning, childhood adversity experience, financial problems, pain, depression, demoralization, vomiting, residence and anxiety. Conclusion Being unmarried, living alone, less educated, living in rural, financial problems, pain, vomiting, PTSD, psychiatric illness history, lower social functioning, childhood adversity experience, anxiety, depression, demoralization, panic disorder were risk factors for suicidal ideation among cancer patients. This review provided evidence-based information for identifying and reducing the risk of suicide in cancer survivors.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42023433639.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiheng Ping
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deying Hu
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaqing Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yilan Liu
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Oyetunji A, Huelga C, Bunte K, Tao R, Bellman V. Use of ketamine for depression and suicidality in cancer and terminal patients: Review of current data. AIMS Public Health 2023; 10:610-626. [PMID: 37842268 PMCID: PMC10567968 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2023043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and suicidality are significant challenges faced by cancer patients, particularly those in advanced stages of the disease or nearing the end of life. Conventional antidepressant therapies often have limited effectiveness or delayed onset of action, making the exploration of alternative treatments crucial. The use of ketamine as a potential treatment for depression and suicidality in cancer and terminal patients has gained considerable attention in recent years. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current data regarding the efficacy and safety of ketamine in this specific population. This review presents an overview of clinical trials and case studies investigating the use of ketamine in this population. It explores the effectiveness of ketamine as a standalone treatment or in combination with other interventions. Furthermore, the article addresses the limitations and future directions of research in this field. It highlights the need for larger, well-controlled studies with long-term follow-up to establish the efficacy, safety and optimal treatment parameters of ketamine for depression and suicidality in palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aderonke Oyetunji
- University of Missouri Kansas City, Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Kansas City, MO
| | - Christian Huelga
- Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
| | - Kailee Bunte
- University of Missouri Kansas City, School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
| | - Rachel Tao
- University of Missouri Kansas City, School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
| | - Val Bellman
- University of Missouri Kansas City, Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Kansas City, MO
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Chen J, Zhang Y, Cheng F, Xie J, Zhang K, Hu D. Symptom distress and suicidal ideation among Chinese ovarian cancer patients: A moderated mediation model of depression and suicide resilience. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1073995. [PMID: 36895757 PMCID: PMC9989189 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether depression mediates the relationship between symptom distress and suicidal ideation in Chinese patients with ovarian cancer, and whether this mediating effect was moderated by suicide resilience. Methods From March to October 2022, this cross-sectional study was performed in a three Grade 3A hospital and an oncology specialty hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Ultimately, 213 ovarian cancer patients completed anonymous self-report. Bootstrapping method was used for regression analysis to test the mediating and moderating effects. Results Among the 213 participants, 29.58% (n = 63) exhibited significant suicidal ideation. Symptom distress was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and depression partially mediated this relationship. Suicide resilience moderated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. In ovarian cancer patients with low suicide resilience, the effect of symptom distress on suicidal ideation through depression was greater, while in patients with high suicide resilience, this effect was attenuated. Conclusion Our study suggests that symptom distress could be more likely to lead to suicidal ideation as depression levels increase in ovarian cancer patients. Fortunately, suicide resilience could attenuate this negative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yinying Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Cheng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinzhi Xie
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Keke Zhang
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deying Hu
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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