Arthritis and Suicide Linked with Childhood Adversities Save

Men and women with arthritis have nearly a two-fold higher prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts than those without arthritis, according to a recent study from the University of Toronto.

One in every 26 men with arthritis have attempted suicide compared to one in 50 men without arthritis. Suicide attempts were also higher in women with arthritis compared to women without arthritis (5.3% vs 3.2%). The study found that those with arthritis still had 46% higher odds of suicide attempts than those without arthritis even when adjustments were made for important factors such as age, income, chronic pain, and a history of mental health disorders.

Researchers found that arthritic adults who experienced chronic parental domestic violence or sexual abuse during their childhood had more than three times the odds of suicide attempts. The magnitude of these associations with suicide attempts was comparable to that seen with depression. 

Other factors associated with suicide attempts in arthritis patients included a history of drug or alcohol abuse, anxiety, being younger, poorer and less educated.

This research was based on a nationally representative sample of 4,885 Canadians with arthritis and 16,859 adults without arthritis, drawn from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health.