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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-02-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Drinking frequency and quantity and risk of suicide among men

Authors: Kenneth J. Mukamal, MD, MPH, MA, Ichiro Kawachi, MD, PhD, Matthew Miller, MD, MPH, ScD, Eric B. Rimm, ScD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 2/2007

Abstract

Background

Individuals who die from suicide commonly have consumed alcohol immediately beforehand, often in large quantities. However, prospective cohort data on regular alcohol use as a risk factor for suicide are lacking.

Method

As part of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 47,654 men free of cancer prospectively reported their drinking habits, including average use, drinking frequency, and typical maximal use on repeated occasions beginning in 1986. Participants were followed for death to 2002.

Results

A total of 136 men died from suicide during follow-up. Quantity of alcohol consumed per drinking day tended to be associated with a greater risk of suicide mortality, with an adjusted hazard ratio among men consuming 30.0 or more grams (more than two drinks) per drinking day of 2.42 (95% confidence interval, 0.75–7.80; P-trend 0.05). Average alcohol consumption, drinking frequency, and binge drinking were not independently associated with risk. The apparent relationship of quantity consumed per drinking day with risk was not substantially changed by adjustment for serious illness or other dietary factors and was most notable for suicide associated with firearm use.

Conclusions

Among men, risk of death from suicide tends to be associated primarily with quantity of alcohol consumed per drinking day, not with drinking frequency or overall alcohol consumption. This finding supports guidelines that limit consumption among men who choose to drink alcohol to two drinks or less per drinking day.

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Title: Drinking frequency and quantity and risk of suicide among men
Authors: Kenneth J. Mukamal, MD, MPH, MA
Ichiro Kawachi, MD, PhD
Matthew Miller, MD, MPH, ScD
Eric B. Rimm, ScD
Publication date: 01-02-2007
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0144-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Drinking frequency and quantity and risk of suicide among men

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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