National suicide rates 1961-2003: further analysis of nordic data for suicide, autopsies and ill-defined death rates.
BACKGROUND
Concerns about the risk-benefit ratio of treatment with antidepressants in the light of recent evidence pointing to a risk of suicide induction during the course of treatment with antidepressants. These concerns have led to a series of recent studies exploring national rates of suicide and correlating these with data on antidepressant consumption.


METHODS
We have compared suicide rates in the Nordic countries with autopsy and ill-defined death rates, and antidepressant sales, during the period 1961 through to 2003.


RESULTS
There is a close correlation between suicide rates and both autopsy and ill-defined death rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of autopsies and other factors in the registration of a death as a suicide appear to need further clarification.
Reseland
Svein
S
North Wales Department of Psychological Medicine, Cardiff University, Hergest Unit, Bangor, Wales, UK.
Le Noury
Joanna
J
Aldred
Graham
G
Healy
David
D
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002423:Cause of Death; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents