Seasonal distribution of suicide in alcoholism.

• Brådvik L, Berglund M. Seasonal distribution of suicide in alcoholism. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2002: 106: 299-302. Copyright Blackwell Munksgaard 2002. Objective: To investigate the seasonal distribution of suicide in alcohol dependence and to make a comparison with unnatural death in alcoholism and suicide in other diagnostic groups. Method: Multiaxial ratings of all patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Lund enabled the selection of patients with alcohol dependence (n=1312) during 1949-1969. When followed up to 1997 a total of 102 (99 men) alcoholic patients had taken their own life. Reference groups were patients with severe depression and autopsy cases with other diagnoses. Results: The alcoholic patients showed a peak during the second quarter of the year (34%, P < 0.05). Other diagnostic groups of suicide and unnatural death in alcoholism did not show any overrepresentation in the spring. Conclusion: Male alcoholics showed a spring peak of suicide as opposed to other diagnostic groups.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)