Risk of suicide attempt repetition after an index attempt: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To estimate the risk of suicide attempt repetition among individuals with an index attempt. It also aims to study the role of risk factors and prevention programme in repetition.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in keeping with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies on attempt repetition (both cohort studies and intervention studies) were searched from inception to 2022.Results: A total of 110 studies comprising 248,829 attempters was reviewed. The overall repetition rate was 0.20 (0.17, 0.22). Repetition risk linearly increased over time. A higher risk of attempt repetition was associated with female sex and index attempts in which self-cutting methods were used. Moreover, a mental disorder diagnosis was associated with an increasing repetition risk (OR = 2.02, p < .01). The delivery of a preventive programme reduced the repetition risk, OR = 0.76, p < .05; however, this effect was significant for psychotherapy in-terventions, OR = 0.38, p < .01.Conclusion: One in five suicide attempters will engage in a new suicide attempt. An elevated repetition risk is associated with being female, more severe index methods and psychiatric disorder diagnosis. Preventive pro-grammes, particularly psychotherapy, may contribute to reducing repetition risk and eventually save lives.

Automated summary

This study aims to estimate the risk of suicide attempt repetition and examine the role of risk factors and prevention programs. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 110 studies showed that one in five suicide attempters will engage in a new attempt. Female sex, self-cutting methods, and mental disorder diagnosis were associated with an increased risk of repetition. Preventive programs, especially psychotherapy interventions, can contribute to reducing repetition risk.