How men are unable to cope with the agony of arthritis: Those with the condition are nearly TWICE as likely to commit suicide
- Worldwide, 50m people have arthritis – a figure set to rise to 67m by 2030
- Arthritic men are 46% more likely to attempt suicide than healthy males
- Women with condition were also more likely to try to end their lives
- Suicide risk rose threefold in patients who had been victims of abuse
Katharine Sharpe For Mail Online
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It’s an agonising condition which leaves millions in so much pain they can barely walk or hold a pencil.
Now, researchers have found a link between arthritis and suicide.
Men with the condition were 46 per cent more likely to try to end their lives than those without it.
Worldwide, 50 million people are diagnosed with arthritis a year – a figure set to rise to 67 million by 2030.
Men with arthritis were 46 per cent more likely to try to end their lives than those without it, a study had found
The University of Toronto research found that one in 26 arthritic men had attempted suicide compared to one in 50 non-arthritic men, in a study of over 21,000 people.
Female sufferers were also more likely to attempt suicide than those who did not have arthritis – 5.3 per cent attempting compared to 3.2 per cent respectively.
The study also found that arthritic adults who had suffered childhood abuse from parents were three times more likely to attempt suicide than arthritic adults who had not.
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For example, exposure to domestic violence and sexual abuse were strongly linked to suicide attempts among those with arthritis.
‘The magnitude of these associations with suicide attempts was comparable to that associated with depression, the most well-known risk factor for suicide attempts,’ said lead author Dr Esme Fuller-Thomson.
Adjustments were made to the results to allow for factors such as the participant’s age, income, chronic pain, and their history of mental health disorders.
The study also found that arthritic adults who had suffered childhood abuse from parents were three times more likely to attempt suicide than arthritic adults who had not (file photo)
Co-author Natasha Ramzan, a recent social work graduate of the University of Toronto, added: ‘Other factors associated with suicide attempts among those with arthritis include a history of drug or alcohol dependence and/or anxiety disorders.
‘In addition, those with arthritis who were younger, poorer and less educated also had higher odds of suicide attempts.’
However, because of the way the study was designed, it cannot prove cause-and-effect, the researchers noted.
‘We do not know when the arthritis began nor when the suicide attempts occurred,’ she explained.
‘It is possible that other factors that were not available in the survey may confound the relationship.
‘For example, childhood poverty has been strongly linked to both the development of arthritis and suicide risk.’
It is hoped that once the findings are confirmed by other researchers, there could be clinical implications for those suffering from arthritis.
Those working with sufferers could better treat those who have a history of mental illness or substance abuse or have faced adversity in childhood.
The published in the journal Rheumatology.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see the Samaritans website
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