RISC

Title of ongoing research project

RISC - Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts, An Epidemiological Study using Danish Register Data

Background

The number of suicides has decreased throughout the last 10-15 years from around 1500 to 750 per year. No studies have explained this decrease, yet it is said that the introduction of new antidepressants in 1988 (SSRI) accounts for part of the decrease. The number of suicide attempts, which has lead to contact with the health services, has increased in the same period of time. It is particularly among girls between 15 and 19 years of age, young women between 20 and 39 years, men between 30 and 49 years and men past 70 years the increase has been found.

Centre for Suicide Research in Funen is the only place in Denmark where a systematic data collection of suicide attempts from the health services is taking place. This register gives a unique opportunity for register research by means of which it is possible to analyse risk factors for suicide attempts.

In 1998 the National Board of Health worked out a national plan of action - recommendations for a National Programme for Prevention of Suicide Attempts and Suicides in Denmark - in which an increased national register research is recommended which can illustrate the interaction of different risk factors for suicide attempts and suicides. The study falls within the recommendations of the National Programme.

In the research project areas like health, social conditions, economic and demographic conditions will be in focus. But it will also be questioned, if the increased number of suicide attempts solely can be explained because of a general increase in the number of people who are in contact with the health services. Hypotheses are put forward that family and close relations are very important for the individual. Therefore, this study will map out the family relations of all the suicide attempters. There has been no such study before.

Objective

The objective of the research project is to identify and describe risk factors for suicide attempts in order to strengthen preventive measures.

Method

The research project is register-based. The following registers are combined:

• Register for Suicide Attempts
• The Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register
• The Demographic Database
• Danish Prevention Register
• Integrated Database for Labour Market Research
• Danish Register of Medicinal Products Statistics

The design consists of a longitudinal epidemiological study, where the subjects are analysed within the period of 1995-2001 (both years inclusive). Information is gathered about the personal affairs of the subjects for a five year period, and therefore it is necessary to collect data for the period of 1990-2001 (both inclusive).

Status etc

On the basis of the research project scientific articles have been publicised, and information from the project has been presented at conferences. Data is still being analysed.

The project was financially supported by H. Lundbeck A/S in the period from 2003-2004.

Contact

The project is carried through by statistician Boerge Jensen, Centre for Suicide Research. For further information, please contact statistician Bo Andersen Ejdesgaard, or statistician Anne Mejldal, . Data from the project will continuously be analysed.

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