Long-Term Analysis of Suicide Incidence Among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study

TL;DR

This study found that lung cancer patients have a small but notable suicide risk, with similar trends between those who had surgery and those who did not.

Contribution

The study provides new longitudinal insights into suicide risk among lung cancer patients using national registry data.

Findings

The overall suicide rate among lung cancer patients was 0.62%.

Surgery and non-surgery groups showed similar suicide trends over 5 years.

Surgery patients had protective factors like younger age and higher income.

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with cancer often experience severe mental distress, and suicide is an important issue, particularly prevalent in individuals with lung cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal incidence of suicide among patients with lung cancer using national registry data. Methods: A population-based retrospective review of patients diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 was conducted. Longitudinal medical records, including clinical outcomes and medical insurance data, were investigated. The primary outcome was the incidence of suicide, compared between patients undergoing the first curative treatment option (surgery or non-surgery). Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to adjust for medical history, sociodemographic variables, and lifestyle factors. Results: Among the 4495 patients included, 1306 (29.1%) underwent surgery as the first treatment. Compared to the non-surgery group, the surgery group was younger and had a lower Charlon comorbidity score (p < 0.001), higher physical activity (p < 0.001), and higher income level (p < 0.001). The total number of suicides was 28 (0.62%). The surgery group demonstrated similar trends in the development of suicide and early 5-year follow-up to those of the non-surgery group. Conclusions: The longitudinal risk of suicide among patients with lung cancer increased. Both surgical and non-surgical treatment groups demonstrated similar suicide trends, although patients in the surgery group had multiple protective factors.

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