Section - Quick Takes

05. Risk of Suicide Among Patients With Parkinson Disease

Published on June 1, 2021 Expired on April 1, 2024

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

In this new study, suicide rates were higher among people with Parkinson's disease than a matched control group, supporting prior literature that suggested likewise but with some contrary findings. This study and others like it reflect an assumption about the appropriate weighting of medical beneficence vs patient autonomy in favor of medical paternalism. The Parkinson's Foundation website reveals a different weighting.

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Are suicide rates in people with Parkinson’s disease higher compared to those who do not have that illness? Wouldn’t you think so? Apparently, there was some doubt, which this new study diminishes, and there’s another bigger issue here as well.

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. Surprisingly, according to the introduction in this article by Dr. Chen and colleagues from Taiwan, several studies have found high suicide rates in patients with Parkinson’s disease, while others have not. One study even showed a lower risk than in the general population. Let’s think about this in a broader context. This new study is adding to the list of investigations of suicide in Parkinson’s disease. In each, the underlying presumption is that suicide is an undesirable outcome that should be prevented if possible. This is the same approach that we take to suicide amongst people with depression, right? This assumption that

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Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Review clinical presentations of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome as considerations in a patient presenting with malignant hyperthermia.
Consider the implications of post-marketing adverse events reported for users of esketamine.
Observe the correlations between white matter hyperintensities and select psychiatric symptoms, particularly apathy and fatigue versus depression and anxiety.
Examine data on new treatment options for symptomatic Alzheimer's disease by learning about medications in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials.
Examine the assumptions behind studies of suicide rates in terms of ethical principles, including beneficence and autonomy.

Original Release Date: 06/01/2021

Review Date: 03/01/2024

Expiration Date: 04/01/2024

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

The following planners, faculty, and reviewers have the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Dr. Phelps has disclosed the following relationships:

McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder
W.W. Norton & Co.: books on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

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