Análisis de la mortalidad prematura por suicidio en España en el periodo 2016-2020

Objective

To quantify the loss of life due to suicide in Spain compared to other causes of death and to typify the differences by sex and method chosen to caused death.

Methods

Observational study with retrospective mortality data analysing the 2,175,334 death records in Spain in the period 2016-2020 provided by the National Institute of Statistics. Potential years of life lost, average potential years of life lost, the ratio of potential years of life lost and life expectancy due to suicide were calculated according to sex and the lethal method used. These indicators were compared with the other causes of death.

Results

The average number of potential years of life lost due to suicide was 28 years, second only to childhood and pregnancy-related diseases. Life expectancy ranged from 46.7 to 68 years, finding that the main differences in relation to sex were linked to the method of suicide used, with ratios of potential years of life lost ranging from 0.9 (alcohol poisoning) to 27 (shooting with a short weapon).

Conclusions

In the study period in Spain, suicide is the leading cause of preventable premature mortality. Preventive strategies should necessarily include the analysis of possible methods available to people at risk of self-harm according to gender.