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Cardiovascular fitness in early adulthood and future suicidal behaviour in men followed for up to 42 years

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2013

M. A. I. Åberg ,
J. Nyberg ,
K. Torén ,
A. Sörberg ,
H. G. Kuhn  and
M. Waern
M. A. I. Åberg
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
J. Nyberg
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
K. Torén
Affiliation:
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
A. Sörberg
Affiliation:
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
H. G. Kuhn
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
M. Waern*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
*
*Address for correspondence: M. Waern, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Blå Stråket 15, Gothenburg, Sweden. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Cardiovascular fitness influences many aspects of brain function. However, the relationship between cardiovascular fitness and suicidal behaviour is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether cardiovascular fitness at age 18 years is associated with future risk of suicide attempt/death.

Method

We performed a population-based Swedish longitudinal cohort study of male conscripts with no previous or ongoing mental illness (n = 1 136 527). The conscription examination, which took place during 1968–2005, included the cycle ergonometric test and tests of cognitive performance. Future risk of suicide attempt/death over a 5- to 42-year follow-up period was calculated with Cox proportional hazards models controlling for several confounders including familial factors.

Results

At least one suicide attempt was recorded for 12 563 men. Death by suicide without a prior attempt was recorded in 4814 additional individuals. In fully adjusted models low cardiovascular fitness was associated with increased risk for future attempt/death by suicide [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64–1.94]. The HR changed only marginally after exclusion of persons who received in-patient care for depression (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.61–1.94). Poor performance on both the cardiovascular fitness and cognitive tests was associated with a fivefold increased risk of suicide attempt or suicide death (HR 5.46, 95% CI 4.78–6.24).

Conclusions

Lower cardiovascular fitness at age 18 years was, after adjustment for a number of potential confounders, associated with an increased risk of attempt/death by suicide in adulthood. It remains to be clarified whether interventions designed to improve fitness in teens can influence the risk of suicidal behaviour later in life.

Keywords

Adolescenceintelligence quotientmental healthphysical fitnesspreventionsuicidesuicide attempt
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , March 2014 , pp. 779 - 788
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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