Citation

Lundin A, Lundberg I, Allebeck P, Hemmingsson T. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2011; 124(6): 454-461.

Affiliation

Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala Social Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01752.x

PMID

21838739

Abstract

Objective:  To investigate the associations between psychiatric diagnosis in late adolescence in an unselected population and subsequent suicide attempt and suicide during 36-year follow-up. Method:  A total of 49 321 Swedish men conscripted for compulsory military training in 1969/1970, born 1949-1951, were screened for psychiatric disorder and, if detected, diagnosed by a psychiatrist according to ICD-8. Data on suicides and suicide attempts 1971-2006 were collected in national registers. Results:  At conscription examination, 11.7% of the cohort received a psychiatric diagnosis. Among those, increased risks of suicide 1971-2006 [HR = 2.7 (2.2-3.2), 624 cases] and suicide attempt 1973-2006 [HR = 3.5 (3.1-4.0), 1170 cases] were found. The increased relative risks persisted during the follow-up period 19-36 years after examination [1989-2006 suicide HR = 2.1 (1.6-2.7), 308 cases, and 1989-2006 suicide attempt HR = 2.6 (2.1-3.1), 484 cases]. The dominant diagnostic groups, neurosis and personality disorder, were significantly associated with suicide and suicide attempt in the early as well as the late follow-up period. Conclusion:  Psychiatric diagnoses made in late adolescence predicted subsequent suicide and suicide attempt over a 36-year follow-up period. The increased relative risks were not limited to young adulthood but were also evident 18-36 years after conscription examination.

Language: en