Physical Wellness

Concussions Can Up Suicide Risk By 300 %: Study

By Peter R | Update Date: Feb 09, 2016 11:43 AM EST

Concussions could up the risk of suicide, claims a new study from Canada.

According to UPI, researchers perused Ontario medical database to analyze 235,110 patients who suffered concussions injuries between 1992 and 2012. During follow ups, they found 667 people had killed themselves and concluded that the rate of suicide was thrice that for general population.

"Adults with a diagnosis of concussion had an increased long-term risk of suicide, particularly after concussions on weekends," the authors wrote in the journal Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The risk of suicide differed in the week with the risk increasing to four times if injury was sustained on weekend.

"It's possible that we're seeing greater suicide risk linked to weekend concussions due to risk-taking associated with recreation or misadventure, whereas weekday injuries may be linked to employment hazards," said lead researcher Donald Redelmeier. "We may also be seeing an effect of self-blame if the injury event was self-initiated."

The study showed the risk was not affected by gender or demographic factors but multiple concussions tend to add to the risk; every injury increased the risk by 30 percent according to the study.

"Greater attention to the long-term care of patients after a concussion in the community might save lives because deaths from suicide can be prevented," the team wrote in the journal.

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