Preventing suicidal behaviour in patients with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review.

Preventing suicidal behaviour in patients with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review. Expert Rev Neurother. 2018 Nov 19;: Authors: Mellentin A, Stenager E, Stenager E Abstract INTRODUCTION: Suicidal behavior is a relatively rare occurrence among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nonetheless, it is important to identify and be aware of the constituting risk factors to prevent suicidal behavior among vulnerable patients. Areas covered: This scoped review will shortly outline well-known biological and psycho-social risk factors for suicidal behavior among MS patients and suggest preventive initiatives. The preventive strategies should include a close monitoring of MS pharmacotherapy to prevent progression, and awareness and early identification of psycho-social risk factors across a variety of heath care and social instances the patient may encounter during their life with the disease. The staff in these instances should be educated in detecting the MS patients at increased risk and refer them to relevant healthcare instances, including the general practitioner, neurologists, psychiatrist etc.. In addition, referral to social instances to support educational, vocational and home environment to the state of the disease is of utmost importance. Expert Commentary: Enhancing quality of life for as long as possible by these means may be held to reduce the risk for psycho-social problems and hence suicidal behavior. PMID: 30451039 [PubMed - as supplied b...
Source: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics - Category: Neurology Tags: Expert Rev Neurother Source Type: research