Suicide and Fatal Accidents in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Certificates of 408 deaths listing multiple sclerosis as cause were analyzed for co-existence of suicide and fatal accidents. Four suicides occurred, all in females, ages 30 to 49. Four of an additional six accidental deaths were related to heat, smoke, burns or fire. In addition to identifying the high risk group, hypothetical correlations between neurological symptoms in MS and life-threatening behaviors were drawn as a prediction schema for suicidal behavior in other neurologic diseases.