title: Allergies and suicidal behaviors: a systematic literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions. In addition to physical and social impacts, a number of studies have consistently linked allergies to poor psychological outcomes, including depression and anxiety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present systematic literature review was to analyze the existing literature about the relationship between allergies and fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data sources include articles retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Knowledge. Search terms: "suicid* and (allerg* or hay fever or atop* or eczema or aeroallergen*)" in English-language peer-reviewed journals between 1990 and 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Original research articles that provide empiric evidence about the potential link between allergies and suicidal behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial search identified a total of 769 articles with 17 original research articles that present empiric evidence. Nine articles analyzed the relationship between allergies and fatal suicidal behavior, and nine analyzed nonfatal suicidal behaviors (one article included both). There currently is little research into the relationship between allergies and suicidal behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review was restricted to English-language articles published within the chosen time period; other limitations included the small number of articles that involve suicide mortality, and the fact that the majority of articles originated from the United States and Scandinavia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of the results indicates a link between allergies and suicidality, particularly suicide mortality; however, results for nonfatal suicidal behaviors are mixed. It is important that further research by using more rigorous study designs be carried out to lend strength to these findings.
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Kairi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kõlves
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Leo
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*