Alcohol Use Disorder Equally Linked to Suicide Across Genders, Study Finds

A New Investigation Challenges Previous Notions about the Association between Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicide Mortality

A new investigation uncovered compelling evidence challenging previous notions about the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicide mortality.

Contrary to earlier assumptions of sex-specific differences, the study reveals that individuals, regardless of gender, with AUD face similarly heightened odds of dying by suicide. Illuminating the critical intersection of substance use and mental health, these findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address AUD within suicide prevention efforts.

“Regardless of there not being a statistically significant difference between male and female individuals in the association between AUD and suicide mortality, it is clear that individuals with AUD have elevated odds of dying by suicide compared with those without an AUD,” the researchers wrote.

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AUD and Suicide Mortality: A Global Public Health Concern

AUD is a significant public health concern worldwide, not only due to its detrimental effects on physical health but also its association with mental health issues and risk of suicide. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open sought to investigate whether the link between AUD and suicide mortality differs between males and females.

The investigation analyzed data from 24 studies comprising a total of 37,870,699 participants, with approximately 60% being male and 40% female. Participants ranged from 15 years old to those aged 65 years or older. The systematic search encompassed various databases, including Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science, up to April 27, 2022.

One of the critical insights of this research was the revelation that previous reports of sex-specific associations between AUD and suicide may have been influenced by biases introduced by study design. The meta-regression analyses indicated that study design—whether longitudinal or cross-sectional—significantly impacted the observed association between AUD and suicide mortality for both male (log OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.08–1.28; P = .03) and female (log OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.57–2.24; P < .001) participants.

Among the longitudinal studies analyzed, both sexes with AUD demonstrated statistically significantly higher odds of dying by suicide compared with their counterparts without AUD. Specifically, the pooled odds ratios were 2.68 (95% CI, 1.86–3.87; I² = 99%) for males and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.50–3.81; I² = 90%) for females. Researchers noted these findings challenge previous notions that the association between AUD and suicide mortality might vary between genders.

“Regardless of there not being a statistically significant difference between male and female individuals in the association between AUD and suicide mortality, it is clear that individuals with AUD have elevated odds of dying by suicide compared with those without an AUD,” the researchers wrote. “Coupled with the finding that over 80% of individuals who die by suicide had contact with the health care system in the year prior to their suicide, there are clear implications for suicide prevention efforts within the health care system.”

Addressing AUD as a Critical Component of Suicide Prevention Strategies

Based on the results, the study acknowledged the importance of recognizing and addressing AUD as a critical component of suicide prevention strategies. Simple routine screening measures for AUD could play a vital role in identifying individuals at risk and providing timely interventions. The researchers noted the need for more nuanced approaches to understanding the complex interplay between substance use disorders and mental health outcomes.

“The temporal relationship that can be discerned from the meta-analyses of longitudinal studies speaks to the importance of a risk management approach among individuals with an AUD,” they continued. “However, suicide risk management is only possible if AUD is identified. Thus, it is imperative to screen for alcohol use among individuals presenting with depression and/or suicidal ideation.”

Advocating for Inclusive and Comprehensive Approaches to Suicide Prevention

By revealing consistent associations across genders, the study advocates for more inclusive and comprehensive approaches to addressing AUD within suicide prevention strategies, potentially saving countless lives in the process.

Reference

Lange S, Kim KV, Lasserre AM, et al. Sex-Specific Association of Alcohol Use Disorder With Suicide Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to alcohol consumption.
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

Note: The article does not explicitly mention the SDGs, targets, or indicators. However, based on the content of the article, the following connections can be made.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 5: Gender Equality.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to alcohol consumption.
• Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

The article discusses the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicide mortality. It highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to address AUD within suicide prevention efforts. This connects to SDG 3, specifically Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including mental health issues. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as the mortality rate attributed to alcohol consumption and suicide mortality rate, can be used to measure progress towards this target.

The article also mentions the importance of recognizing and addressing AUD as a critical component of suicide prevention strategies. This connects to SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and ending discrimination and violence against women and girls. Targets 5.1 and 5.2 specifically address ending discrimination and violence against women and girls. While the article does not provide specific indicators related to these targets, the discussion of gender-specific associations between AUD and suicide mortality implies the need for gender-sensitive approaches to address these issues.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: ajmc.com

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