One in 20 French people has already made a suicide attempt. In 2011, 11,400 suicide deaths were recorded in France – three times more men than women, especially after 60 years. On the other hand, young people are not spared: suicide is the second cause of death among 15-24 year olds, just behind road accidents. *
According to a new study conducted by the University of Toronto (in Canada), people with arthritis have a 46% increased risk of attempting suicide in their lifetime. To reach this conclusion, the Canadian researchers worked for 4 years (from 2012) with a panel of more than 20,000 volunteers: 4,885 adults suffering fromarthritis and 16,859 healthy adults.
Conclusion? “There is a real link between arthritis and suicide attempt”, explains Natasha Ramzan, co-author of this work, published in the specialized journal Rheumatology International. “Even taking into account certain factors, such as age, social situation, pain or psychological disorders … there is an increase of about 46% compared to healthy subjects.”
A risk factor as serious as depression
“In addition, in adults who now suffer from arthritis but who have experienced abuse and / or sexual abuse during their childhood, this figure is further multiplied by 3. And when the patient is young or from a precarious social background, this also plays a role. “Scientists even believe that arthritis would be a problem. risk factor as serious as depression …
Arthritis (or “chronic inflammatory rheumatism”) covers many joint problems: tendonitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis… It occurs when there is inflammation of the synovial membrane, the tissue that lines the inside of a joint. In France, experts estimate that 650,000 people will suffer from arthritis during their lifetime. Patients who might deserve psychological follow-up …
* Source: National Suicide Observatory, 2014 annual report.
