The relationship between asthma and suicidal behaviours: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Asthma is a highly prevalent chronic condition worldwide, and is particularly common in younger people compared to other chronic conditions. Asthma can result in a number of symptoms that are detrimental to the quality of life of sufferers. The aim of the present systematic literature review was to analyse the existing literature on the relationship between asthma and fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviours.Articles were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest and Web of Knowledge. We searched for the terms (suicid* OR self-harm) AND (asthma* OR "bronchial hyperreactivity") published in Englishlanguage peer-reviewed journals between 1990 and December 2014. Original research papers providing empirical evidence about the potential link between asthma and suicidal behaviours were included.The initial search identified 746 articles. Specific limiting criteria reduced the number of articles to the 19 articles that were finally included in the systematic review.The review found a potential link between asthma and suicide mortality, ideation and attempts across the age groups. Limitations of the review include the restriction to English-language papers published within the chosen time period, the limited number of papers involving suicide mortality, and the fact that the majority of papers originated from the USA. @ERSpublications Systematic literature review suggests potential link between asthma and suicide mortality, ideation and attempts http://ow.ly/Jowfs

Allergies and suicidal behaviors: A systematic literature review

“…7 In addition to these adverse physical and social impacts, a number of studies consistently linked atopy to poor psychological outcomes, including major depression 8,9 and anxiety. 10 A recent systematic review presented a link between asthma and suicidal behaviors 11 ; however, there are no current systematic reviews on the possible association between allergies and suicidal behaviors. Hence, the aim of the current article was to conduct a systematic literature review to explore the potential link between allergies and fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviors.…”

Air pollution, aeroallergens and suicidality: a review of the effects of air pollution and aeroallergens on suicidal behavior and an exploration of possible mechanisms

“…Ultimately, many pollen particles are too large to deposit in the lungs, although certain pollens, such as rye-grass pollen have demonstrated the ability to induce asthmatic effects similar to air pollutants. This is of relevance because asthma has shown positive associations with suicidal behaviors (115,116). Interestingly it has been demonstrated that in contrast to air pollutants, nonallergic asthma has been associated with higher levels of CRP than allergic asthma (117).…”

Independent association among suicidal ideation, asthma, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in adolescents

“…Oxidative stress, which has been hypothesized as a mediator of prenatal stress and atopic dermatitis, could be another possible candidate . Apart from such possible underlying pathways, a direct causal relationship, unmeasured confounders, or common genetic link may also explain this association . Another potential cause of suicidal ideation in asthmatic adolescents is the use of corticosteroids, which may induce adverse psychiatric symptoms .…”