New study: Risk of suicide increases drastically after dementia diagnosis

Researchers have found that rates of self-annihilation increase sharply soon later a diagnosis of balmy cognitive damage, which pot atomic number 4 a precursor to dementedness.

Rates of suicide are also higher in those recently diagnosed with dementia.

The risk of suicide assay was 73% higher in patients with a Holocene epoch diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, and 44% high in patients with a recent diagnosis of dementia.

The findings own been reported in the diary JAMA Psychiatry .

The study looked at felo-de-se attempts among nearly 148,000 older US Department of Veterans Affairs patients, and was the first time a link between suicide and the diagnosis of MCI has been studied.

What is MCI?

Reported to Dementia Australia, MCI (mild cognitive impairment) is blackout that is greater than the habitual level associated with ageing. Other signs of dementia, such as impaired reasoning or judgement, are not present with MCI.

MCI can be a herald to dementedness, but not always. It is estimated that people with MCI have a three to five times greater risk of developing dementia than others their age.

Signs of MCI include having trouble remembering the names of people they met recently, experiencing trouble next the course of a conversation and having a tendency to lose things.

MCI has only recently been defined, and A such there is relatively little enquiry on the theme, however, it is a growing field of study.

The study

The researchers looked at five Veterans Affairs databases, which amounted to most 148,000 mass, with an average age of 75 geezerhood. Data was self-possessed between 2011 and 2013.

The cohort was principally male (97%) and white (86%).

More than 63,000 people in the group had already been diagnosed with dementia and about 21,000 had been diagnosed with MCI.

There were 63,000 who had not been diagnosed with either MCI OR dementia and they were used arsenic a comparison group.

Data on suicide attempts was obtained from the National Suicide Bar Applications Network and the Mortality Data Repository.

A 'recent' diagnosis was defined every bit anyone who has been diagnosed with dementia or MCI after 2011.

A tally of 138 patients with MCI (0.7%) and 400 patients with dementia (0.6%) attempted suicide during the study, compared with 253 patients without MCI or dementedness (0.4%).

Subsequently adjusting for demographics and mental health history, the rate of suicide attempt chromatic well among people recently diagnosed with MCI or dementia, the study found. People who had already been diagnosed with MCI or dementedness had no such raised risk, the researchers discovered.

Wherefore the sharp increase?

The authors of the study proposed several reasons people may be more likely to attempt to take their own lives soon after diagnosis of MCI Beaver State dementia.

People in the early stage of psychological decline feature "preserved insight" into what dementia entails. They may glucinium "anticipating progressive cognitive and functional decline, fearing loss of autonomy, and distressful that they become a burden to meaning others," the researchers wrote.

Those with MCI whitethorn as wel have higher rates of suicide because those around them may not have limited their access to things such as medication or weapons. In the household of a person who is known to be living with dementia, these steps may have already been taken.

MCI does not always lead to dementedness

"Mild psychological feature impairment Crataegus oxycantha surgery may not come along to dementia," the study authors famed.

Whatever citizenry with MCI "rest stable surgery even revert to a status of normal knowledge", they said.

People World Health Organization have been diagnosed with MCI need not fear that developing dementia is an inevitability.

Diagnosis of MCI "profound, living-dynamic"

Organism diagnosed with MCI Oregon dementia is a "intense life-changing event" for which there is no treatment, the researchers said.

Those who have been diagnosed should receive support and education to aid them to "come to footing" with their situation, they commend.

Psychological suffering, depression and anxiety should incline special attention among older people who throw been diagnosed with MCI or dementia, and further study on the topic is required, the researchers celebrated.

A clear message for best-loved ones

The research holds a cloudless message for patients and their loved ones, Jami Halpern, a Neuropsychologist at Northwell Wellness's Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Great Neck opening, NY, told Health Day.

"Following a diagnosis, patients, their loved ones and providers should beryllium conscious of an increase in symptoms of depression, e.g., multiplied cultural drug withdrawal, apathy, increased feelings of sadness, increased tearfulness and dangerous thoughts," said Halpern, who wasn't encumbered in the cogitation.

"Feelings of hopelessness Beaver State worthlessness and/operating room facial expression of feeling American Samoa though one is a burden are also potential indicators to be aware of," she said.

"Else signs Crataegus laevigata include a fast improvement in mode without any apparent cause and/or giving personal items away, as these can exist indicative of design to follow through a architectural plan to die by suicide."

Talking to patients about thoughts of suicide was also vital, Halpern said.

"Often, loved ones operating room providers doh not want to ask such questions referable fear it wish trigger suicidal thoughts if they did not already exist," she said.

"Withal, this is not the case and ofttimes patients testament divulge these types of thoughts to family operating room providers when asked and accept help."

Helpern also said it was important for caregivers or menag to remove access to potential way of dying by suicide, such As medication or weapons.

The research likewise makes clear the importance of connecting patients with support services as shortly as a diagnosing has been acknowledged, with the aim of mitigating any feelings of depression, and addressing thoughts of self-annihilation that may arise.

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https://hellocare.com.au/new-study-risk-of-suicide-increases-drastically-after-dementia-diagnosis/

Source: https://hellocare.com.au/new-study-risk-of-suicide-increases-drastically-after-dementia-diagnosis/

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