Myocardial infarction and suicide risk

January 01, 0001

Myocardial infarction and suicide risk

Myocardial infarction (MI) is linked with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and all-cause mortality. It is not known if MI is associated with an increased suicide risk. These Danish researchers examined the association between MI and suicide via a population-based case-control study. Using data from 5 Danish registers, they looked at persons aged 40 to 89 years who committed suicide and cased match up to 10 persons (19,857 persons who committed suicide, 190,058 controls).

The researchers found: "MI was associated with a marked increased risk of suicide. The risk of suicide was highest during the first month after discharge for MI for patients with no history of psychiatric illness (adjusted rate ratio, 3.25) and for patients with a history of psychiatric illness (adjusted rate ratio, 64.05) compared with those with no history of MI or psychiatric illness. However, the risk remained high for at least 5 years after MI."

The researchers concluded: "MI is followed by an increased risk of suicide for persons with and without psychiatric illness. Our results suggest the importance of screening patients with MI for depression and suicidal ideation."

This study stresses the importance of inquiring about depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in patients status post myocardial infarction.

For the full abstract, click here.

Circulation 122(23):2388-2393, 7 December 2010 © 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.
Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Suicide: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Karen Kjær Larsen, Esben Agerbo,Bo Christensen, Jens Søndergaard, Mogens Vestergaard. Correspondence to Karen Kjær Larsen: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory. Keywords: myocardial infarction, MI, suicide, adult, psychiatric illness, case-control study., journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 4 January 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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