Tinnitus and suicide.
A retrospective study of tinnitus sufferers who had committed suicide was undertaken. A questionnaire was compiled, and circulated world-wide. Adequate information was obtained on 28 suicides. An association between suicide and left-sided tinnitus reported previously, was not conclusively replicated. In fact, no particular tinnitus parameter, or associated audiological symptom was over-represented in the suicide series. Demographically, tinnitus suicide victims were characterized by being male, elderly, and socially isolated. There was a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, in particular depression (70%). A suicide attempt within the year preceding suicide occurred in five individuals.
Lewis
J E
JE
Department of Psychological Medicine, Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, UK.
Stephens
S D
SD
McKenna
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology