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Risk of suicide and suicide attempts associated with physical disorders: a population-based, balancing score-matched analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2014

J. M. Bolton ,
R. Walld ,
D. Chateau ,
G. Finlayson  and
J. Sareen
J. M. Bolton*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R. Walld
Affiliation:
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
D. Chateau
Affiliation:
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
G. Finlayson
Affiliation:
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
J. Sareen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: J. M. Bolton, M.D., PZ430-771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3E 3N4. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

The association between physical disorders and suicide remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical disorders and suicide after accounting for the effects of mental disorders.

Method

Individuals who died by suicide (n = 2100) between 1996 and 2009 were matched 3:1 by balancing score to general population controls (n = 6300). Multivariate conditional logistic regression compared the two groups across physician-diagnosed physical disorders [asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease], adjusting for mental disorders and co-morbidity. Secondary analyses examined the risk of suicide according to time since first diagnosis of each physical disorder (1–90, 91–364, ⩾ 365 days). Similar analyses also compared individuals with suicide attempts (n = 8641) to matched controls (n = 25 923).

Results

Cancer was associated with increased risk of suicide [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.91, p < 0.05] even after adjusting for all mental disorders. The risk of suicide with cancer was particularly high in the first 90 days after initial diagnosis (AOR 4.10, 95% CI 1.71–9.82, p < 0.01) and decreased to non-significance after 1 year. Women with respiratory diseases had elevated risk of suicide whereas men did not. COPD, hypertension and diabetes were each associated with increased odds of suicide attempts in adjusted models (AORs ranged from 1.20 to 1.73).

Conclusions

People diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk of suicide, especially in the 3 months following initial diagnosis. Increased support and psychiatric involvement should be considered for the first year after cancer diagnosis.

Keywords

Cancerepidemiologyphysical diseasesuicidesuicide attempt
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , February 2015 , pp. 495 - 504
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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