Update of suicide trends in Italy from 1986 to 1996.
BACKGROUND
In some Western countries increasing suicide rates have been observed among males, especially young men, with a decline of female suicides. The present study analysed age-specific and age-standardised suicide rates in Italy.


METHODS
From 1986 to 1996 national statistics on numbers of suicides in each sex and age group were examined.


RESULTS
Overall, suicides have remained substantially stable from 1986 to 1996. Among males over 45 years of age rates progressively decreased, and among subjects below 15 years rates remained stable. In the 15-24 and 25-44 age groups rates progressively rose: an overall increase of 2.76/100,000 and 1.60/100,000 was recorded, respectively. Among females over 45 years of age suicide rates progressively decreased, while rates in the other age groups remained fairly stable.


CONCLUSIONS
The present analysis documents a rise in suicides among young men, and highlights the need for age-specific suicide prevention programmes.
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Social Psychiatry, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Guaiana
Barbara
B
D'Avanzo
Corrado
C
Barbui
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*