Coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and osteoporosis have been linked with elevated suicide risk compared to other physical illnesses, an analysis of data from 593 family practices in the UK has found.

The case control study included 873 adult suicide cases and 17,460 living controls, matched for age and sex. Clinical depression was the most common confounding factor. Female effect sizes were greater – with women having a two- or three-fold increased risk. In females with cancer and coronary artery disease, increased suicide risk persisted after adjustment for depression. 

Overall, heightened risk was confined to physically ill women younger than 50 years, and to older women with multiple physical diseases.

Arch Gen Psychiatry 2012;69(3):256-64