Mental Disorders in Suicide and Undetermined Death in the Lundby Study. The Contribution of Severe Depression and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

To evaluate the role of severe depression, i.e., depression with melancholic and/or psychotic features and alcohol dependence in suicide and undetermined death. The Lundby Study is a prospective, longitudinal study of a population consisting of 3563 subjects. In a long-term follow up 1947–2006 there were 66 suicide cases, including 19 undetermined deaths. Depression and alcoholism were as expected the major contributors to suicide (44% and 23% respectively). Severe depression with psychotic and/or melancholic features was diagnosed in 66% of all depressions and in 29% of all suicide cases, as compared to 15% for major depression only. Alcohol dependence was related to undetermined death. Major depressive disorder with melancholic and/or psychotic features appears to be an important contributor to accomplished suicide in the depression group, and alcohol dependence appears to be related to undetermined death.

Keywords:

• alcoholism
• depression
• severe
• suicide
• undetermined death

The study was supported by the Swedish Council for Planning and Coordination of research, The Swedish Council for Social research, The Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Medical Research Council, The Medical Faculty, Lund University, The Principal Government of Scania, The Söderström-Königska Foundation, The Bror Gadelius Foundation, The Sjöbring Foundation, and The OM Persson Foundation.