Rates of suicidal ideation among HIV-infected patients in care in the HIV Outpatient Study 2000-2017, USA

Factors associated with suicidal ideation among people with HIV engaged in care

BACKGROUND

People with HIV (PWH) are at elevated risk for suicidal ideation (SI), yet few studies have examined how substance use, clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with SI among PWH.

METHOD

We used substance use (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use [TAPS]) and depression (PHQ-9) data from computerized screening of adult PWH in primary care clinics in Northern California, combined with health record data on psychiatric diagnoses, HIV diagnosis, treatment, and control (HIV RNA, CD4), insurance, and neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) to examine factors associated with SI (PHQ-9 item 9 score > 0). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for SI were obtained from logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among 2829 PWH screened (92 % male; 56 % white; mean (SD) age of 54 (13) years; 220 (8 %) reported SI. Compared with no problematic use, SI was higher among those reporting one (aOR = 1.65, 95 % CI = 1.17, 2.33), two (aOR = 2.23, 95 % CI = 1.42, 3.49), or ≥ 3 substances (aOR = 4.49, 95 % CI = 2.41, 8.39). SI risk was higher for those with stimulant use (aOR = 3.55, 95 % CI = 2.25, 5.59), depression (aOR = 4.18, 95 % CI = 3.04, 5.74), and anxiety diagnoses (aOR = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.19, 2.34), or Medicaid (aOR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.24, 3.60) compared with commercial/other insurance. SI was not associated with HIV-related measures or NDI.

LIMITATIONS

SI was assessed with a single PHQ-9 item. Simultaneous SI and exposure data collection restricts the ability to establish substance use as a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV care providers should consider multiple substance use, stimulant use, depression or anxiety, and public insurance as risk factors for SI and provide interventions when needed.

HIV-related stigma, depression and suicidal ideation among HIV-positive MSM in China: a moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

As the HIV epidemic among MSM in China continues, Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) face various mental health difficulties, including suicide ideation, depression, and stigma. The current study aims to assess the mechanisms between HIV-related stigma, depression, and suicidal ideation among MSM in China.

METHODS

This national cross-sectional study was completed on the geosocial networking application (GSN) app, Blued, from December 2020 to March 2021. We used the HIV Stigma Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10) to measure HIV stigma and depression, respectively. Suicidal ideation was measured by the suicidal ideation-related item. Descriptive analyses, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 244 HIV-positive MSM were included in the analysis. The mediation model revealed that the direct pathway of perceived HIV-related stigma on suicidal ideation was significant (standardized pathway coefficient = 0.07), and the indirect pathway of perceived HIV-related stigma on suicidal ideation via depression was also significant (standardized pathway coefficient = 0.04). There was a partial mediating effect of depression in the association between perceived HIV-related stigma and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that both perceived HIV-related stigma and depression were associated with suicidal ideation among HIV-positive MSM in China, and that depression could serve as a mediator between HIV-related stigma and suicidal ideation. Targeted interventions regarding HIV-related stigma and depression should be taken into account to reduce suicidal ideation among HIV-positive MSM in China.

Global overview of suicidal behavior and associated risk factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A scoping review

Death by suicide is a major public health problem. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) have higher risk of suicidal behavior than the general population. The aim of this review is to summarize suicidal behavior, associated risk factors, and risk populations among PLHIV. Research studies in six databases from January 1, 1988, to July 8, 2021, were searched using keywords that included "HIV," "suicide," and "risk factors." The study design, suicide measurement techniques, risk factors, and study findings were extracted. A total of 193 studies were included. We found that the Americas, Europe, and Asia have the highest rates of suicidal behavior. Suicide risk factors include demographic factors, mental illness, and physiological, psychological, and social support. Depression is the most common risk factor for PLHIV, with suicidal ideation and attempt risk. Drug overdosage is the main cause of suicide death. In conclusion, the current study found that PLHIV had experienced a high level of suicidal status. This review provides an overview of suicidal behavior and its risk factors in PLHIV with the goal of better managing these factors and thus preventing death due to suicide.

The mediating role of executive function in the relationship between self-stigma and self-injury or suicidal ideation among men who have sex with men living with HIV

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV suffer from psychosocial pressures and marginalization as a result of being HIV-positive and belonging to a sexual minority group, and self-injury or suicidal ideation are prevalent among this group. Studies have found that both perceived self-stigma and altered executive function is related to self-injury or suicidal ideation. However, the combined contribution of self-stigma and executive function to self-injury or suicidal ideation remains unclear, especially in MSM living with HIV. Therefore, this study is conducted to explore the mechanism of self-injury or suicidal ideation by hypothesizing that executive function plays a mediating role in the relationship between self-stigma and self-injury or suicidal ideation.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 448 MSM living with HIV who were recruited in the HIV clinic of a tertiary general hospital in Changsha, China, from November 2021 to February 2022. A questionnaires survey was adopted to collect sociodemographic and disease-related information and data related to executive function (including working memory, inhibition, and task monitoring), self-stigma, and self-injury or suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap testing were used to investigate the potential mediating role of executive function in the relationship between self-stigma and suicidal ideation.

Results

The participants were aged 18-76 years. Those who had ever had self-injury or suicidal ideation accounted for 32.8% of the total. A higher level of self-stigma and poorer executive function were associated with more frequent self-injury or suicidal ideation (p < 0.01). The mediation model analysis showed a good fit (x ²/df = 1.07, p = 0.381). The direct effect of self-stigma on self-injury or suicidal ideation (β = 0.346, p < 0.001) and the indirect effect of self-stigma via executive function (β = 0.132, p < 0.001) were significant, with the indirect effect accounting for 27.6% of the total effect.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that executive function mediates the relationship between self-stigma and self-injury or suicidal ideation among MSM living with HIV. It suggests that future studies targeting enhancing executive function and decreasing self-stigma may reduce self-injury or suicidal ideation among MSM living with HIV.

Gender differences in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide death among people living with HIV : A systematic review and meta‐analysis

OBJECTIVE

Although excess mortality, especially suicide, is a critical trait in people living with HIV, consensus about gender differences in these areas is lacking. We conducted meta-analyses to examine gender differences in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide death among people living with HIV.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for studies written in English. In this review, suicide among people living with HIV includes suicide death, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Studies reporting the suicide prevalence among males and females living with HIV were eligible for inclusion in our review. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) served as the effect size index. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analyses were chosen based on the size of the heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies comprising 801 017 participants from 11 countries were included in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation was 18.0% (95% CI 13.3%-22.8%) in males and 20.8% (95% CI 16.4%-25.1%) in females, and there was a statistically significant higher risk of suicidal ideation in females living with HIV (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.09-1.56; p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of suicide attempts was 16.8% (95% CI 9.0%-24.5%) in males and 24.7% (95% CI 12.4%-37.1%) in females, and there was a statistically significant higher risk of suicide attempts in females living with HIV (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02-1.75; p < 0.05). The pooled prevalence of suicide death was 1.2% (95% CI 0.5%-1.9%) among males and 0.2% (95% CI 0.1%-0.3%) among females, and the risk of suicide death between genders was not statistically significant (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.50-1.24; p = 0.298).

CONCLUSIONS

There were gender differences in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among people living with HIV. Females living with HIV were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and make suicide attempts, but there were no statistically significant gender differences in suicide death. Appropriate initiatives to optimize the recognition, treatment, and management suicide behaviours of males and females living with HIV may narrow this gender gap.

Suicidality Among People Living With HIV From 2010 to 2021: A Systematic Review and a Meta-regression

OBJECTIVE

The association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS and suicidality is not well understood, partly because of variability in results. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the predictive value of HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome for incident suicidality.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted of articles published between January 1, 2010, and October 31, 2021. The following databases were searched: Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search terms included human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), suicidal behavior, auto mutilation, and self-injurious behavior. Observational studies were screened following a registered protocol, and eligible ones were meta-analyzed and followed by meta-regression.

RESULTS

A total of 43 studies were included in this systematic review, and a meta-regression included 170,234 participants. The pooled prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and deaths by suicide were 22.3%, 9.6%, and 1.7%, respectively. The following significant risk factors for suicide ideation were found: substance use, depression, low quality of life, low social support, without HIV status disclosure, living alone, low level of memory problems, family history of suicide, and stage III of HIV. Risk factors for suicide attempts were depression and family history of suicide. An elevated risk for suicide-related death was found for people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had a psychiatric disorder and in studies conducted in hospital-based settings (versus national database studies or HIV clinic settings).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of suicidality is high among PLHIV within all six World Health Organization regions during the modern antiretroviral therapy era. Assessment of socioeconomic and psychological factors is recommended for further management to prevent suicide among PLHIV. The present findings are useful for design of intervention protocols and development of clinical practice guidelines intended to manage the well-being of PLHIV worldwide.

Comparison of Psycho-Social Factors Associated With Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among People Living With HIV in Central West China

Background

Previous studies have described the correlation of suicidal ideation (SI) or suicide attempts (SA) in people living with HIV (PLWH), whereas few studies compare the correlation between SI and SA in PLWH. Understanding specific risk factors for SI and SA among PLWH will help with developing tailored and effective suicide prevention strategies among this high-risk group.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 in Baoji municipality, Shaanxi Province. The PLWH registered with the Baoji Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were recruited and interviewed. Questionnaires and interviews for this study consisted of socio-demographic variables, mental health history, and psychosocial characteristics. The HIV-related clinical features were obtained from CDC medical records. The PLWH included were divided into three groups, i.e., those with a history of suicide attempts (SA group), those with suicidal ideation only (SI group), and those without any suicidal behavior (NSB group). Multinomial logistic regression was used for three-way comparisons among these three groups of PLWH.

Results

In total, 995 PLWH were interviewed. The prevalence of probable depression, probable anxiety, SI, and SA in PLWH after being diagnosed as HIV+ was 18.6%, 13.5%, 26.7%, and 3.2%, respectively. Compared with the NSB group, the SI or SA groups were more likely to report probable depression [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.43, 4.44, respectively], probable anxiety (AOR = 2.80, 5.62, respectively), and high HIV-related stigma (AOR = 2.05, 2.65, respectively). The SI group was more likely to experience high HIV-related stress (AOR = 1.91) and lower quality of life (AOR = 0.56) than the NSB group. Social support and HIV-related clinical features were not associated with SI or SA in this sample. The SA group did not differ from the SI group on any of the psychosocial or HIV-related clinical features.

Conclusions

Mental health problems are serious in community residents identified with having an HIV infection in a Central West China municipality. It is important to deliver low-cost and effective psychological services tailored for PLWH that are focused on reducing mental health problems. Future studies should utilize sensitive screening measures and further clarify factors potentially associated with the transition from SI to SA in PLWH.

Prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide plan among HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Suicidality is common in people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the prevalence estimates of the suicidality vary between studies. Here, we performed a systematic review and estimated the prevalence of suicidal behavior in this population.

METHODS

Systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO for relevant studies published before August 29, 2020. A random-effects model was used to pool the estimates of the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempts and plans, which were also stratified by continent or region and screening instrument from the studies included in this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Suicide prevalence data were extracted from 36 studies(n=32,818) from 15 countries. The overall pooled crude prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 20.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.5-21.6%],8.1% (95% CI 5.4-11.3%), and 7.5% (95% CI 5.7-9.5%), respectively. For lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts prevalence, this was 22.4% (95% CI 15.9-29.8%), and 12.0% (95% CI 6.9- 18.1%), respectively. Summary prevalence estimates ranged across assessment modalities from 6.5% to 33.7%. Pooled estimates were generally higher for females, as compared with males (risk ratios in the range 1.48-1.85). The leave-one-out analysis showed that no single study significantly affected the final pooled results.