The risk for suicide is highest during the first year after the surgery. It was also increased during the second year after surgery
Risk factors for suicide:
(1) postoperative depression
(2) postoperative apathy
(3) being single (living alone)
(4) history of poor impulse control
(5) history of compulsive medication use
(6) history of a previous suicide attempt
(7) younger age
(8) onset of Parkinson's disease at a young age
In addition, a greater decrease in the daily levodopa dose following surgery was weakly associated with making a suicide attempt.
A patient with Parkinson's disease who undergoes subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery should be followed for signs of suicidal ideation, especially if risk factors are noted during the first 2 years after surgery.
