Suicide Risk in Patients With Anxiety Disorders: a Meta-Analysis of the FDA Database

Using the Food & Drug Administration database, the authors assessed suicide & suicide attempt risk among patients participating in clinical trials evaluating new antianxiety medications, with diagnosis of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, & obsessive compulsive disorder. Overall, among 20076 participants, 12 died by suicide & 28 attempted suicide. The annual suicide risk rate was 193/100,000 patients & annual suicide attempt risk rate was 1350/100,000 patients. It is concluded that suicide risk in patients with anxiety disorders is higher than previously thought & these patients warrant explicit evaluation for such risk. (19 refs.)