Suicide mortality trends in Galicia, Spain and their relationship with economic indicators

Background.Recent research has shown an association between unemployment and suicide, but the mediating factors in this relationship are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of unemployment and economic recession on suicide rates in the Spanish region of Galicia between 1975 and 2012Method.We analysed age-standardised suicide rates in men and women and in four age groups: less than 25 years, 25–45 years, 45–65 years and more than 65 years and performed a joinpoint analysis to determine trend changes throughout 1975–2012 period. Also we analysed the association between suicide, recession and unemployment by means of a temporal trend model with a Generalised Additive Model.Results.Suicide rates increased from 145 suicides in 1975 to a high in 1993, with 377 deaths by suicide, representing 1.38% of all causes of death, and thereafter they tend to decrease to 335 suicides in 2012. Joinpoint analyses revealed that suicide rates changed differently across sex and age groups. For men, the annual percentage of change (APC) between 1975 and 1988 (CI 95% 1986–1994) was 5.45 (CI 95% = 3.5, −7.2) but from 1988 the APC became negative [−0.66 (CI 95% = −1.3, −0.1)]. For women, APC between 1974 and 1990 (CI 95% 1986–1992) was 4.86 (CI 95% = 3.2, −6.4) and −1.46 subsequently (CI 95% = −2.2, −0.5). Women aged 24 years or less showed stable suicide rates while men from 45–65 years showed two incidence peaks. When we studied the independent correlation between unemployment, recession and suicide, we found a significant association between unemployment and suicide, but not between recession and suicide for both sexes together and for men while for women there was no significant correlation between suicide and unemployment or recession. Finally, when we studied the effect of the interaction between unemployment and recession on suicide we found economic recession and unemployment interacted with regards to suicide rates (F = 5.902; df = 4.167; p = 0.00098) and after adjusting by sex, the effect was confirmed among men (F = 4.827; df = 2.823; p = 0.0087), but not among women (F = 0.001; df = 1.000; p = 0.979).Conclusions.Although suicide rates in Galicia are gradually decreasing in the last decades, there are important sex and age differences. Unemployment was related with suicide during economic recession periods according to our results.

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SUICIDE TRENDS AND DISPARITIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2008-2017

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2550 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S692-S692

Author(s):

Sanae El Ibrahimi ◽

Yunyu Xiao ◽

Matthew L Smith

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Suicide Rate ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Age Groups ◽

The United States ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Life Issues ◽

End Of Life Issues

Abstract Background: Suicide ranks within the top fifteen causes of death among adults 55 and older in the United States and is a growing concern in the face of social isolation and other end-of-life issues. This study examined differences and trends in suicide rates and methods among older adults in the U.S. Methods: Suicide mortality rates from 2008-2017 were derived from the Multiple Cause of Death files in the CDC’s WONDER database. Suicide deaths were identified from the underlying causes of death using ICD-10 codes. Age-adjusted death rates (per 100,000) were calculated. Older adults were grouped into four age categories: 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and 85+ years. Percent change in suicide rates between 2008-2017 were examined, which were then stratified by gender and top suicide methods. Results: Suicide rates increased by 16% among adults 55 years of age and older from 2008 to 2017 (15.4 vs 17.8 per 100,000 respectively). In 2017, the suicide rate among older adults was 27% higher than the general population (14.0 per 100,000). Suicide rates were significantly higher among men relative to women for those ages 85+ (14:1 ratio of males-to-females). However, females in the 65-74 age group experienced the highest increase of suicide rate (41%) compared to other females or males across age groups. The most common method of suicide was firearms, followed by poisoning and suffocation. Suffocation had the highest increase over time (37%). Conclusion: Rising suicide rates among older adults suggest the need for tailored intervention strategies that address upstream suicide-related risk factors.

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Alcoholic psychoses and suicide trends in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.470 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S401-S401

Author(s):

Y. Razvodovsky

Keyword(s):

Binge Drinking ◽

Rank Order ◽

Heavy Drinking ◽

High Rate ◽

Soviet Period ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Future Research ◽

Mortality Trends ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Post Soviet Period

IntroductionThe dramatic fluctuations in suicide mortality in the countries of the former Soviet Union (fSU) over the past decades have been widely discussed in the scientific literature and are still relatively unexplored. Accumulated evidence suggests that the mixture of cultural acceptance of heavy drinking, high rate of distilled spirits consumption, and binge drinking pattern is major contributor to the suicide mortality burden in fSU countries.AimsThe present study aims to analyze whether binge drinking is able to explain the dramatic fluctuations in suicide mortality in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine from the late Soviet to post-Soviet period.MethodTrends in alcoholic psychoses incidence and suicide rates from 1980 to 2015 in Russia Belarus and Ukraine were analyzed employing a Spearman's rank-order correlation analysis.ResultsThe estimates based on the Soviet data suggest a strong positive association between alcoholic psychoses and suicide rates in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. This positive relationship was less evident in the post-Soviet period.ConclusionCollectively, these findings indicate that alcohol has played an important role in the fluctuation of suicide mortality rates in the former Soviet republics during the last decades. Further monitoring of suicide mortality trends in the former Soviet countries and detailed comparisons with earlier developments in other countries remain a priority for future research.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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Employment and suicidal rates during economic recession: A country-targeted integrative review

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020969740 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002076402096974

Author(s):

Apostolos Kamekis ◽

George Rachiotis ◽

Adelais Markaki ◽

Vasiliki Samara ◽

Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis

Keyword(s):

Economic Crisis ◽

Economic Recession ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Integrative Review ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Greek Language ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Reported Data ◽

Recession Period

Background: The economic crisis’ effects on suicide rates for countries undergoing or exiting austerity measures have been widely debated. This integrative review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesize available evidence of employment status effect on suicide mortality rates in Greece during the recent economic recession period. Methods: A literature review of studies evaluating suicides in the general Greek population, as well as across age and gender groups, in relation to employment during the economic crisis period was performed. PubMed electronic database was searched for relevant articles published in English or Greek language from 2009 up to February 2020. Appraisal was carried out based on the Hierarchy of Evidence Rating System and the GRADE guidelines. Results: A total of 24 articles met all inclusion criteria with 20 of them at level IV, 2 at level VII, and 2 at level VIII. A total of 18 studies reported increase of suicide rates during the economic recession period. About 12 studies examined the co-relation between unemployment and suicide rate, with ten studies showing a positive correlation. Moreover, thirteen studies reported data on the effect of gender and age variables on suicide rates. Conclusion: Evidence shows that suicide mortality rates in Greece increased after the eruption of economic recession, particularly after the implementation of radical austerity measures (2011–2014). This increase was positively correlated with unemployment and was more prominent among males of working age. Further in depth epidemiological research of regional variations in terms of profile and contributing or enabling factors of suicidal behavior is needed.

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Sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method in 58 countries between 2000 and 2015

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yue Wu ◽

David C Schwebel ◽

Yun Huang ◽

Peishan Ning ◽

Peixia Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Age Groups ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Males And Females ◽

Binomial Models ◽

Country Specific

ObjectiveTo examine recent changes in sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method across countries.MethodsUsing mortality data from the WHO mortality database, we compared sex-specific, age-specific and country-specific suicide mortality by method between 2000 and 2015. We considered seven major suicide methods: poisoning by pesticides, all other poisoning, firearms and explosives, hanging, jumping from height, drowning and other methods. Changes in suicide mortality were quantified using negative binomial models among three age groups (15–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65 years and above) for males and females separately.ResultsSuicide mortality declined substantially for both sexes and all three age groups studied in 37 of the 58 included countries between 2000 and 2015. Males consistently had much higher suicide mortality rates than females in all 58 countries. Hanging was the most common suicide method in the majority of 58 countries. Sex-specific suicide mortality varied across 58 countries significantly for all three age groups. The spectrum of suicide method generally remained stable for 28 of 58 included countries; notable changes occurred in the other 30 countries, including especially Colombia, Finland and Trinidad and Tobago.ConclusionLikely as a result of prevention efforts as well as sociodemographic changes, suicide mortality decreased substantially in 37 of the included 58 countries between 2000 and 2015. Further actions are needed to explore specific drivers of the recent changes (particularly for increases in eight countries), to understand substantial disparities in suicide rates across countries, and to develop interventions to reduce suicide rates globally.

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Suicide among persons who entered same-sex and opposite-sex marriage in Denmark and Sweden, 1989–2016: a binational, register-based cohort study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2019-213009 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 78-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Annette Erlangsen ◽

Sven Drefahl ◽

Ann Haas ◽

Charlotte Bjorkenstam ◽

Merete Nordentoft ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Age Groups ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Same Sex ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

Males And Females ◽

Rate Ratios

BackgroundPeople belonging to sexual minority groups have higher levels of suicidality than heterosexuals. However, findings regarding suicide death are sparse. Using unique national data from two countries, we investigated whether individuals entering a same-sex marriage (SSM), a proxy group of sexual minority individuals, had higher suicide rates than those entering opposite-sex marriage (OSM).MethodsA cohort study of all males and females who entered an SSM (n=28 649) or OSM (n=3 918 617) in Denmark and Sweden during 1989–2016 was conducted. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for suicide were calculated using adjusted Poisson regression models.ResultsIn total, 97 suicides occurred among individuals who had entered an SSM compared with 6074 among those who entered an OSM, corresponding to an adjusted IRR of 2.3 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.8). For people who entered SSM, a 46% decline was noted over time from an IRR of 2.8 (95% CI 1.9 to 4.0) during 1989–2002 to 1.5 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.9) during 2003–2016. The excess suicide mortality was present in all age groups but most pronounced among younger individuals aged 18–34 years of age (IRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.8) and females (IRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.9).ConclusionThis large register-based study found higher suicide rates among individuals who entered an SSM, compared with those who entered an OSM. A lower suicide rate was noted for individuals in SSMs in recent years. More research is needed to identify the unique suicide risk and protective factors for sexual minority people.

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Changing mortality trends in countries and cities of the UK: a population-based trend analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e038135

Author(s):

David Walsh ◽

Gerry McCartney ◽

Jon Minton ◽

Jane Parkinson ◽

Deborah Shipton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trend Analysis ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Age Groups ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Population Based ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Mortality Trends ◽

Relative Index ◽

Index Of Inequality ◽

The Uk

ObjectivesPreviously improving life expectancy and all-cause mortality in the UK has stalled since the early 2010s. National analyses have demonstrated changes in mortality rates for most age groups and causes of death, and with deprived populations most affected. The aims here were to establish whether similar changes have occurred across different parts of the UK (countries, cities), and to examine cause-specific trends in more detail.DesignPopulation-based trend analysis.Participants/settingWhole populations of countries and selected cities of the UK.Primary and secondary outcome measuresEuropean age-standardised mortality rates (calculated by cause of death, country, city, year (1981–2017), age group, sex and—for all countries and Scottish cities—deprivation quintiles); changes in rates between 5-year periods; summary measures of both relative (relative index of inequality) and absolute (slope index of inequality) inequalities.ResultsChanges in mortality from around 2011/2013 were observed throughout the UK for all adult age groups. For example, all-age female rates decreased by approximately 4%–6% during the 1980s and 1990s, approximately 7%–9% during the 2000s, but by <1% between 2011/2013 and 2015/2017. Equivalent figures for men were 4%–7%, 8%–12% and 1%–3%, respectively. This later period saw increased mortality among the most deprived populations, something observed in all countries and cities analysed, and for most causes of death: absolute and relative inequalities therefore increased. Although similar trends were seen across all parts of the UK, particular issues apply in Scotland, for example, higher and increasing drug-related mortality (with the highest rates observed in Dundee and Glasgow).ConclusionsThe study presents further evidence of changing mortality in the UK. The timing, geography and socioeconomic gradients associated with the changes appear to support suggestions that they may result, at least in part, from UK Government ‘austerity’ measures which have disproportionately affected the poorest.

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Comparative Epidemiology of Suicide in South Korea and Japan: Effects of Age, Gender and Suicide Methods

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000046 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 5-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Seong Yi Kim ◽

Myoung-Hee Kim ◽

Ichiro Kawachi ◽

Youngtae Cho

Keyword(s):

South Korea ◽

Suicide Rate ◽

Age Groups ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Suicide Methods ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Icd 10 ◽

Acute Increase ◽

And Gender ◽

The Life Course

Background: Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality in both South Korea and Japan. Aims: The study aims to compare the descriptive epidemiology of suicide over the last two decades (1985–2006) and to explore the conditions associated with the different distribution of suicides in both countries. Methods: Age-standardized suicide rates were obtained from the OECD Health Data 2009. Age-specific suicide rates for the age groups were calculated from the WHO Mortality Database. Suicide methods were identified based on ICD-10. Results: Through 1980–2000, Japan showed consistently higher suicide rates compared to Korea. However, from the mid-1990s, Korea showed an acute increase of suicides and finally surpassed Japan; the age-standardized suicide rate of Korea increased from 10.2 (per 100,000) in 1985 to 21.5 in 2006, while it slightly increased from 18.4 to 19.1 in Japan. The highest age-specific suicide rate was observed among Japanese men aged 45–64 years and Korean men aged over 64 years. The increase of elderly suicides among Korean women was notable. The gender ratio increased in Japan and decreased in Korea, respectively. The preferred suicide methods were hanging and pesticide poisoning in Korea and hanging in Japan. Because of the limited number of observations, hypothesis testing of specific risk factors was not possible. Conclusions: Age and gender distribution of suicide rates differed considerably between the two countries. Welfare protection throughout the life course in both countries, and pesticide regulation in Korea would be helpful in reducing the burden of suicide mortality in both countries, even if the social values could not be changed in a short time.

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Estimating seasonal variation in Australian pertussis notifications from 1991 to 2016: evidence of spring to summer peaks

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268818003680 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R. N. F. Leong ◽

J. G. Wood ◽

R. M. Turner ◽

A. T. Newall

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infections ◽

Age Groups ◽

Additive Model ◽

Pertussis Infection ◽

Decomposition Approach ◽

Generalised Additive Model ◽

Monthly Data ◽

Yearly Average ◽

Transmission Models ◽

Future Population

AbstractUnlike for many other respiratory infections, the seasonality of pertussis is not well understood. While evidence of seasonal fluctuations in pertussis incidence has been noted in some countries, there have been conflicting findings including in the context of Australia. We investigated this issue by analysing the seasonality of pertussis notifications in Australia using monthly data from January 1991 to December 2016. Data were made available for all states and territories in Australia except for the Australian Capital Territory and were stratified into age groups. Using a time-series decomposition approach, we formulated a generalised additive model where seasonality is expressed using cosinor terms to estimate the amplitude and peak timing of pertussis notifications in Australia. We also compared these characteristics across different jurisdictions and age groups. We found evidence that pertussis notifications exhibit seasonality, with peaks observed during the spring and summer months (November–January) in Australia and across different states and territories. During peak months, notifications are expected to increase by about 15% compared with the yearly average. Peak notifications for children <5 years occurred 1–2 months later than the general population, which provides support to the theory that older household members remain an important source of pertussis infection for younger children. In addition, our results provide a more comprehensive spatial picture of seasonality in Australia, a feature lacking in previous studies. Finally, our findings suggest that seasonal forcing may be useful to consider in future population transmission models of pertussis.

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Epidemiologic Characteristics of Suicide in Panama, 2007–2016

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56090442 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (9) ◽

pp. 442

Author(s):

Virginia Núñez-Samudio ◽

Aris Jiménez-Domínguez ◽

Humberto López Castillo ◽

Iván Landires

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Multidimensional Poverty ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Multidimensional Poverty Index ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Male To Female ◽

Related Mortality

Background and objectives: We aim to describe the demographic characteristics associated with suicide in Panama, to estimate the suicide mortality rate and years of potential life lost (YPLL) to suicide, and to explore the correlation of suicide rates with the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). We present a descriptive retrospective epidemiological report of suicide-related mortality (Panama, 2007–2016). Materials and Methods: Data were matched-merged to calculate unadjusted suicide mortality rates (overall, and by sex, age groups, and administrative region), YPLL, and coefficients (r) for the correlation of MPI and suicide rates. Results: There were 1475 deaths by suicide (86% among men, 47% between 20 and 39 years). The average mortality rate was estimated at 3.91 per 100,000 population with an average YPLL rate of 3.79 per 1000 population. There was a statistically significant trend to reduce YPLL over time (r = −0.93; p< 0.001). Exploratory analyses did not show a significant correlation between the MPI and suicide rates. Our study showed a 6:1 male-to-female ratio of suicide, mostly affecting the age groups of 20–29 and over 80 years. Conclusions: Exploratory analyses on the correlation of the MPI and the suicide rates did not achieve statistical significance, and alternative explanations, such as access to pesticides and alcohol, were further explored to inform potential interventions.

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Time trends in method-specific suicide rates in Japan, 1990–2011

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796014000675 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 58-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

E. Yoshioka ◽

S. J. Hanley ◽

Y. Kawanishi ◽

Y. Saijo

Keyword(s):

Effective Means ◽

Vital Statistics ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Joinpoint Regression ◽

Mortality Trends ◽

Suicide Methods ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Increasing Trend ◽

Males And Females ◽

The Impact

Background.Little is known about whether particular suicide methods have contributed differently to the recent unfavourable suicide mortality trends in Japan. Analysing such trends may shed light on the effect of potentially preventable factors, such as the impact of restricting access to certain popular suicide methods, on overall rates. Therefore, we assessed recent trends in method-specific suicide by gender and age in Japan.Method.Suicide mortality and population data between 1990 and 2011 were obtained from the Vital Statistics of Japan and used to calculate method-specific mortality rates. Suicide methods were divided into seven groups: overdose, gases, hanging, drowning, cutting, jumping and other means. Age was divided into four groups: 15–24, 25–44, 45–64 and 65+ years. We applied joinpoint regression to the data and quantified the observed changes.Results.The results of the joinpoint regression analyses showed a sharp increase in overall suicide rates for males and females of all ages until the late 1990s. Suicide from hanging and jumping, in particular, contributed to this increase. After 2000, an increasing trend in overall suicide rates in both males and females aged 15–24 and 25–44 years was observed, with overdose, gases and hanging contributing to this increasing trend.Conclusions.Our findings revealed that different suicide methods varied in their contribution to the recent overall suicide transition in Japan. Regarding factors associated with the recent increase in suicides by overdose, gases, hanging and jumping, further research is needed in order to promote and implement effective means restriction strategies.

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