Sexual minority adolescents and the risk of attempted suicide.

Introduction: Sexual minorities show a higher risk of suicide and attempted suicide, but, to our knowledge, a systematic evaluation has not been performed yet. Objectives: We aim at evaluating the risk of attempted suicide among LGBTQ youths compared to heterosexual peers, differentiating for each sexual minority group. Methods: Using Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) we searched for the terms heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, adolescents, teens, and attempted suicide. We identified 764 articles through April 30, 2017. We included studies reporting attempted suicide in sexual minority adolescents compared with heterosexual peers. Thirty-five studies satisfied criteria for inclusion. Pooled analyses were based on odds ratios (ORs), with relevant 95% CIs, weighting each study with inverse variance models with random effects. Risk of publication bias and analysis of heterogeneity through univariable and multivariable metaregressions were also rated. Results: We included 35 studies reported in 22 articles that involved a total of 2.378.987 heterosexual and 113.468 sexual minority adolescents (age range 12-20 years). Sexual minority adolescents showed higher risk of attempted suicide (OR, 3.50; 95%CI, 2.98-4.12; c2=3074.01; P<.001; I2=99%). Specific OR was 3.71 in the homosexual group (95%CI, 3.15-4.37; c2=825.20; P<.001; I2=97%) and 4.87 in the bisexual group (95%CI, 4.76-4.98; c2=980.02; P<.001; I2=98%); transgender youths were differentiated from the other groups in one study, with an OR of 5.87 (95% CI, 3.51-9.82). Conclusions: LGBTQ adolescents have a significantly higher risk of life-threatening behaviors compared to their heterosexual peers, especially transgender. Public awareness and supportive strategies should be implemented in public health plannings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]