Prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation, and its risk factors in leprosy patients: A systematic review

Background

Leprosy is a chronic disease with significant physical, psychological, and social implications. The disability and stigma associated with leprosy can lead to mental health challenges including depression and suicidal ideation (SI). Understanding these condition’s prevalence and risk factors is critical to improving the mental status of affected individuals.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were used to perform this systematic review. Databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase were used to collect articles using the following terms: leprosy, Hansen’s disease, suicidal ideation, depression, and psychosocial factors. The Joanna Briggs Institute's critical assessment checklist tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the research studies.

Results

This systematic review includes seventeen studies. Depression prevalence among leprosy patients ranged from 12.5% to 89.8%, while SI prevalence varied from 6.7% to 76%. The majority of studies employed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression. Gender, disability, unemployment, age, marital status, and stigma were the most frequently reported risk factors for depression among leprosy patients. Psychiatric comorbidities are the leading risk factor for SI in leprosy patients.

Conclusion

Depression and SI are widespread among patients with leprosy, emphazing the critical importance of incorporating mental health treatments into leprosy care programs. Reducing stigma, strengthening social support systems, and offering psychological counselling are vital strategies to address these challenges and improve patient health.