The effect of starting metformin on bone mineral density among women with type 2 diabetes in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

We examined longitudinal changes in BMD among women in the mid-life starting metformin. Study subjects were 57 years old (mean), and 36% were White. Women initiating metformin were similar to noninitiators. During the 3-year follow-up, BMD loss at all anatomic areas was similar between groups and in subgroups including baseline fasting blood glucose. PURPOSE/INTRODUCTION: Women with type 2 diabetes have higher bone mineral density (BMD), experience slower BMD loss, but have increased fracture risk. Data regarding the effect of metformin on BMD remain discordant. We examined longitudinal changes in BMD among women in the mid-life starting metformin. METHODS: Participants in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a diverse community-based US cohort, with BMD measurements were evaluated. Propensity score matching helped balance baseline characteristics of metformin initiators versus noninitiators. Mixed model regression tested the change in BMD between groups. RESULTS: Subjects (n = 248) were 57.4 years old (mean), and 35.9% were White. Women initiating metformin (n = 124) were similar to noninitiators (n = 124) in age and race/ethnicity. During the median 3-year follow-up, BMD loss at all anatomic areas was similar between the metformin initiators and nonusers (all p > 0.3). Subgroup analyses including baseline fasting blood glucose showed no between-group differences. Initiation of metformin (vs. not) in peri-menopausal women was not associated with BMD changes. CONCLUSIONS: Women in the mid-life starting metformin had longitudinal changes in BMD very similar to other women not starting metformin.

Self-Reported Sleep Disturbances over the Menopausal Transition and Fracture Risk: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Sleep disturbances are common and may impact fracture risk directly by influencing bone turnover or indirectly through shared risk factors or mediators. To investigate the association between self-reported sleep disturbances across the menopausal transition (MT) and fractures, we prospectively studied 3101 women enrolled in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). At each of 14 study visits spaced approximately 18 months apart, a standardized validated scale ascertained trouble falling asleep, waking up several times during the night, and waking up earlier than planned. Two time-varying exposures were modeled: presence of any of the three disturbances at least three times per week and waking up several times during the night at least three times per week. Base models adjusted for fixed (race/ethnicity, study site) and time-varying characteristics (age, body mass index, and MT stage). Fully adjusted models also included time-varying bone beneficial and detrimental medications, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, diabetes, depression and sleep medications, and depressive symptoms. Women who experienced a fracture were more likely to report a greater frequency of having trouble falling asleep, waking up several times, and/or waking up earlier: 35% versus 30% at baseline, p = 0.02. In the base models, women who had any of the three sleep disturbances at least three times per week had a higher risk of any fracture, odds ratio (OR) = 1.23 (95% confidence intervals, 1.02, 1.48) and nontraumatic fracture, OR = 1.36 (1.03, 1.80). These associations were largely attenuated to nonsignificance in the fully adjusted model. Sensitivity analyses limiting our sample to 2315 SWAN women enrolled in the bone mineral density (BMD) centers yielded similar results. Additional adjustment for femoral neck BMD had no effect on our results. In conclusion, self-reported sleep disturbances were associated with an increased risk of fractures, but these associations likely reflect shared risk factors or factors in the causal pathway. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Associations of Age at Menopause With Postmenopausal Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk in Women.

CONTEXT: Menopause before age 45 is a risk factor for fractures, but menopause occurs at age ≥45 in ~90% of women. OBJECTIVE: To determine, in women with menopause at age ≥45, whether (1) years since the final menstrual period (FMP) is more strongly associated with postmenopausal bone mineral density (BMD) than chronological age and (2) lower age at FMP is related to more fractures. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a longitudinal cohort study of the menopause transition (MT). PARTICIPANTS: A diverse cohort of ambulatory women (pre- or early perimenopausal at baseline, with 15 near-annual follow-up assessments). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postmenopausal lumbar spine (LS) or femoral neck (FN) BMD (n = 1038) and time to fracture (n = 1554). RESULTS: Adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), cigarette use, alcohol intake, baseline LS or FN BMD, baseline MT stage, and study site using multivariable linear regression, each additional year after the FMP was associated with 0.006 g/cm2 (P < 0.0001) and 0.004 g/cm2 (P < 0.0001) lower postmenopausal LS and FN BMD, respectively. Age was not related to FN BMD independent of years since FMP. In Cox proportional hazards regression, accounting for race/ethnicity, BMI, cigarette use, alcohol intake, prior fracture, diabetes status, exposure to bone-modifying medications/supplements, and study site, the hazard for incident fracture was 5% greater for each 1-year decrement in age at FMP (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Years since the FMP is more strongly associated with postmenopausal BMD than chronological age, and earlier menopause is associated with more fractures.

The relationship between 19-year trends in medication use and changes in physical function among women in the mid-life: A Study of Women's Health Across the Nation pharmacoepidemiology study.

PURPOSE: Medication side effects are a major concern in aging adults who report using an increasing number of medications. The relationship between accumulating medication use and physical function has not been examined in a longitudinal cohort. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study using prospectively collected data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Community-dwelling women from five US cities were followed for up to 20 years. The exposure of interest was the number of prescription medications. They were examined as a count variable and then for specific categories of medication. The outcome of interest was physical function measured repeatedly using the short form (SF)-36 physical function (PF) scale. Linear mixed models, using repeated measures of sociodemographics and comorbidities were assessed. RESULTS: 1452 participants qualified for the analyses with a median follow-up of 19.2 years. At baseline, the mean age was 46.5 years and 53.5% reported White race. Fully adjusted models demonstrated a reduction in the SF-36 PF of 0.99 for each additional prescription medication used or a 6.14-point reduction for women reporting more than five medications and an 8.92-point reduction among those reporting more than 10 medications. These results were similar across race and ethnicity. Specific medication categories with a significant and largely negative impact (at least a two-point reduction) on physical component score included beta-blockers, analgesics, glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, anticoagulants, and anti-depressants. CONCLUSIONS: There is a moderate association between increasing medication use and decreasing physical function among women transitioning through the mid-life.

Race/ethnic difference in trabecular bone score in midlife women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

There was no difference in Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) comparing White and Black women after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and diabetes status. Japanese women had lower TBS than White women. Our results diverge from established differences in fracture rates by race/ethnicity. INTRODUCTION: The TBS was developed as an indirect measure of vertebral bone microarchitecture derived from texture analysis of lumbar spine DXA scans. There is little information on race/ethnic differences in TBS. METHODS: We compared TBS in 656 White, 492 Black, and 268 Japanese pre- and early perimenopausal women. We used a beta version of TBS that accounts for tissue thickness using DXA measured soft tissue thickness rather than BMI. The relation between BMI and tissue thickness corrected TBS differed by BMI; we used a three-segment linear spline to adjust for BMI. RESULTS: The women were, on average, 46.5 years of age; 50% were premenopausal. In BMI and diabetes adjusted models, there was no difference in TBS between White and Black women. TBS was modestly (2%) lower in the Japanese women compared to White women, p = 0.04. In a sensitivity analysis, restricting the analysis to those with BMI 24-31 kg/m2, results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: TBS was similar in Black and White women after accounting for tissue thickness and adjusting for BMI, diabetes, and other covariates. The Japanese women had modestly lower TBS. These results diverge from established race/ethnic differences in fracture rates and areal bone mineral density, underscoring the need for further studies.

Is race or ethnicity associated with under-utilization of statins among women in the United States: The study of women's health across the nation.

BACKGROUND: Rates of statin use among minority women are unclear. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that statin use would vary by race/ethnicity with lower rates among minority women compared with Whites. METHODS: Data from the study of women's health across the nation, a multiethnic cohort of women collected between 2009 to 2011 were used to examine reported statin use by race/ethnicity and risk profile. Multivariable logistic modeling was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of statin treatment. RESULTS: Of the 2399 women included, 234 had a diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease (ASCVD), 254 were diabetic (without ASCVD), 163 had an LDL ≥190 mg/dL, and 151 had a 10 year ASCVD pooled risk score ≥7.5%. Statins were used by 49.6% of women with CVD; 59.8% of women with diabetes without known ASCVD; 42.3% of women with an LDL ≥190 mg/dL; and 19.9% of women with an ASCVD risk ≥7.5%. Rates of statin use were 43.8% for women with ≥ two prior ASCVD events and 69.4% for women with ≥ one prior ASCVD event plus multiple high-risk conditions. Among women eligible for statins, Black women had a significantly reduced adjusted odds of being on a statin (OR 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.78) compared with White women. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of multiethnic women, rates of statin use among women who would benefit were low, with Black women having lower odds of statin use than White women.

Temporal increases in 25-hydroxyvitamin D in midlife women: Longitudinal results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

OBJECTIVE: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is critical for bone mineralization and may prevent fractures. Understanding vitamin D deficiency trends in midlife women is particularly important given their concurrent menopausal changes that increase risk for fracture. We aimed to evaluate changes in mean 25(OH)D over time and their determinants in a racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse cohort of midlife women. DESIGN: A multi-centre prospective cohort study. PATIENTS: 1585 women ages 42-52 years at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: We measured serum 25(OH)D at 2 time points (1998-2000 and 2009-2011). Between-visit change was assessed in the whole cohort and in socioeconomic and demographic subgroups. Among those with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <30 nmol/L) at baseline, we evaluated determinants of persistent deficiency at follow-up. RESULTS: Mean 25(OH)D increased from 53.8 to 70.0 nmol/L (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of deficiency decreased from 20.4% to 9.7% (P < 0.001). While baseline 25(OH)D differed among subgroups, the changes in 25(OH)D were similar among groups. The proportion of women reporting dietary supplement use increased from 40.8% to 67.1% (P < 0.001), and the increase in 25(OH)D was significantly higher in supplement users. Among women with vitamin D deficiency at baseline, White women and supplement users were less likely to remain deficient at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Among midlife women, temporal increases in 25(OH)D concentrations are driven largely by increases in supplement use. The proportion of women with 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L and thus at high risk for skeletal consequences remains substantial. Targeted screening for vitamin D deficiency in populations at risk for fragility fracture may be advisable.

Serum Sex Hormones and the Risk of Fracture Across the Menopausal Transition: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

CONTEXT: Sex steroid hormones have been linked to fractures in older women. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that hormones measured over the menopausal transition predict fractures. SETTING: Seven US clinical centers. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Two thousand nine hundred sixty women (average age, 46.4 ± 2.7 years) who had at least two repeat hormone measures and prospective information on fractures. Fasting serum was collected annually for hormone assays. Estradiol (E2) was measured with a modified direct immunoassay. FSH and SHBG were measured with two-site chemiluminescence immunoassays. Hormones were lagged (visit year -1) and transformed using log base 2. Incident fractures were ascertained at each annual visit. All medications including hormone therapy were time varying covariates. Discrete survival methods were used. RESULTS: Five hundred eight (17.2%) women experienced an incident fracture over an average follow up of 8.8 ± 4.4 years. Women who experienced an incident fracture were more likely to be white, report high alcohol intake and diabetes, and less likely to report premenopausal status at baseline. A woman whose log E2 was twice that of another had a 10% lower risk of fracture independent of covariates, relative risk (95% CI) = 0.90 (0.82, 0.98). Neither FSH nor SHBG were associated with fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Serum E2 levels may help to identify women at higher risk of fractures over the menopausal transition. However, hormone assays must be standardized across laboratories for clinical implementation and further work is needed to define E2 thresholds.

Effects of analgesics on bone mineral density: A longitudinal analysis of the prospective SWAN cohort with three-group matching weights.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of analgesics on bone mineral density (BMD), which have not been examined in a longitudinal study with multiple measurements. METHODS: We investigated changes in BMD associated with new use of analgesics in a prospective longitudinal cohort of mid-life women. BMD and medication use were measured annually. We compared BMD among new users of acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and opioids. Adjustment for baseline covariates was conducted through propensity score matching weights. On-treatment analysis was conducted with inverse probability of censoring weights. Analysis based on the initial treatment group was also conducted to provide insights into selection bias. Repeated BMD measurements were examined with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: We identified 71 acetaminophen new users, 659 NSAID new users, and 84 opioid new users among 2365 participants. In the on-treatment analysis, the opioid group in comparison to the acetaminophen group had an additional average BMD decline of -0.06% [-1.24, 1.11] per year in the spine and -0.45% [-1.51, 0.61] per year in the femoral neck. BMD mean trajectories over time suggested a fifth-year decline in the opioid persistent users compared with other 2 groups. In the initial treatment group analysis, all 3 groups showed similar trajectories. CONCLUSION: The BMD decline over time was similar among the 3 groups. However, 5 years of continuous opioid use may be associated with a greater BMD decline than 5 years on other analgesics. Further studies examining the relationship between very long-term persistent opioid use and BMD are warranted.

Effect of Race and Ethnicity on Antihypertensive Medication Utilization Among Women in the United States: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

BACKGROUND: Antihypertensive medication use may vary by race and ethnicity. Longitudinal antihypertensive medication use patterns are not well described in women. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a prospective cohort of women (n=3302, aged 42-52), who reported a diagnosis of hypertension or antihypertensive medication use at any annual visit were included. Antihypertensive medications were grouped by class and examined by race/ethnicity adjusting for potential confounders in logistic regression models. A total of 1707 (51.7%) women, mean age 50.6 years, reported hypertension or used antihypertensive medications at baseline or during follow-up (mean 9.1 years). Compared with whites, blacks were almost 3 times as likely to receive a calcium channel blocker (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 2.24-3.82) and twice as likely to receive a thiazide diuretic (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.93-2.94). Blacks also had a higher probability of reporting use of ≥2 antihypertensive medications (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.55-2.45) compared with whites. Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and thiazide diuretics increased over time for all racial/ethnic groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, rates of ß-blocker usage did not decrease over time. CONCLUSIONS: Among this large cohort of multiethnic midlife women, use of antihypertensive medications increased over time, with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers becoming the most commonly used antihypertensive medication, even for blacks. Thiazide diuretic utilization increased over time for all race/ethnic groups as did use of calcium channel blockers among blacks; both patterns are in line with guideline recommendations for the management of hypertension.

Medication Use by Race and Ethnicity in Women Transitioning Through the Menopause: A Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Drug Epidemiology Study.

BACKGROUND: Medication utilization and costs increased over the last decade, but the effects of race/ethnicity have never been well studied in longitudinal data. We analyzed reports of prescription medication use to (1) identify trajectories of use and (2) determine predictors associated with a large increase in use. Specifically, variations in medication use by race/ethnicity were examined. METHODS: We analyzed the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation cohort with a median of 14 years of follow-up. Group-based trajectory models helped distinguish women with a low use of medications versus those with heavy use. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for each racial/ethnic group associated with heavy use, controlling for potential baseline confounders. RESULTS: The 2,798 women sampled had a mean age of 46 years at baseline and the median number of medications at baseline was 2, increasing to 4 over the follow-up period. Trajectory models identified that 16% of participants demonstrated heavy use of medications, from a median of 5 at baseline to 10 medications at final follow-up. Regression models controlling for age, obesity, number of comorbid conditions, and pain found that Hispanic (OR = 0.085, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.037-0.20), Chinese (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.16-0.63), Japanese (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.64), and Black (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.57-1.11) women had lower odds for heavy use compared with White women. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal medication use among women in Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) differed by race/ethnicity with non-White women having a lower odds of heavy use.

Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D, bone mineral density and fracture risk across the menopause.

CONTEXT: Low levels of serum 25 Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] have been linked to greater fracture risk in older women. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether higher 25(OH)D is associated with slower loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and lower fracture risk during the menopausal transition. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a prospective cohort study at five clinical centers in the United States. Mean age was 48.5 ± 2.7 years. The fracture analysis included 124 women with an incident traumatic fracture, 88 with incident nontraumatic fracture, and 1532 women without incident fractures; average followup was 9.5 years. BMD analysis included 922 women with a documented final menstrual period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum 25(OH)D was measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry at the third annual clinic visit. BMD was measured and incident fractures ascertained at each annual visit. RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D was 21.8 ng/mL; seven-hundred two (43%) of the women had 25(OH)D values <20 ng/mL. There was no significant association between 25(OH)D and traumatic fractures. In multivariate adjusted hazards models, the hazard ratio (HR) for nontraumatic fractures (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 0.72 (0.54-0.96) for each 10-ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D. Comparing women whose 25(OH)D was ≥20 vs <20 ng/mL, the HR (95% CI) for fracture was 0.54 (0.32-0.89). Changes in lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density across menopause were not significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D level. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with nontraumatic fracture in mid-life women. Vitamin D supplementation is warranted in midlife women with 25(OH)D levels <20 ng/mL.

Rates of bone loss among women initiating antidepressant medication use in midlife.

CONTEXT: Concern has been raised that medications that block serotonin reuptake may affect bone metabolism, resulting in bone loss. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare annual bone mineral density (BMD) changes among new users of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), new users of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and nonusers of antidepressant medications. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective cohort study at five clinical centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1972 community-dwelling women, aged 42 years and older, enrolled in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). EXPOSURE: The use of antidepressant medications was assessed by interview and verified from medication containers at annual visits. Subjects were categorized as nonusers (no SSRI or TCA use at any examination), SSRI users (initiated SSRI use after the baseline SWAN visit), or TCA users (initiated TCA use after the baseline visit), using a computerized dictionary to categorize type of medication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at annual visits. RESULTS: BMD was compared among 311 new users of SSRIs, 71 new users of TCAs, and 1590 nonusers. After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, race, body mass index, menopausal status, and hormone therapy use, mean lumbar spine BMD decreased on average 0.68% per year in nonusers, 0.63% per year in SSRI users (P = .37 for comparison to nonusers), and 0.40% per year in TCA users (P = .16 for comparison to nonusers). At the total hip and femoral neck, there was also no evidence that SSRI or TCA users had an increased rate of bone loss compared with nonusers. Results were similar in subgroups of women stratified by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (<16 vs ≥16). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of middle-aged women, use of SSRIs and TCAs was not associated with an increased rate of bone loss at the spine, total hip, or femoral neck.

Ethnic variability in bone geometry as assessed by hip structure analysis: findings from the hip strength across the menopausal transition study.

Racial/ethnic origin plays an important role in fracture risk. Racial/ethnic differences in fracture rates cannot be fully explained by bone mineral density (BMD). Studies examining the influence of bone geometry and strength on fracture risk have focused primarily on older adults and have not included people from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Our goal was to explore racial/ethnic differences in hip geometry and strength in a large sample of midlife women. We performed hip structure analysis (HSA) on hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans from 1942 premenopausal and early perimenopausal women. The sample included white (50%), African American (27%), Chinese (11%), and Japanese (12%) women aged 42 to 52 years. HSA was performed using software developed at Johns Hopkins University. African American women had higher conventional (8.4% to 9.7%) and HSA BMD (5.4% to 19.8%) than other groups with the exception being Japanese women, who had the highest HSA BMD (9.7% to 31.4%). HSA indices associated with more favorable geometry and greater strength and resistance to fracture were more prevalent in African American and Japanese women. Femurs of African American women had a smaller outer diameter, a larger cross-sectional area and section modulus, and a lower buckling ratio. Japanese women presented a different pattern with a higher section modulus and lower buckling ratio, similar to African American women, but a wider outer diameter; this was offset by a greater cross-sectional area and a more centrally located centroid. Chinese women had similar conventional BMD as white women but a smaller neck region area and HSA BMD at both regions. They also had a smaller cross-sectional area and section modulus, a more medially located centroid, and a higher buckling ratio than white women. The observed biomechanical differences may help explain racial/ethnic variability in fracture rates. Future research should explore the contribution of hip geometry to fracture risk across all race/ethnicities.

Qualifications of Physicians Performing Hysterectomy: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether physicians performing hysterectomy on participants of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) are adequately trained to perform this procedure. A multicenter longitudinal study of 3302 women aged 42 to 52 was conducted over 9 years of follow-up. Of the 238 women reporting hysterectomy within the United States, 165 were verified via medical record review. Information regarding training background and board certification status of the physicians performing these hysterectomies was obtained from the American Board of Medical Specialists. Complications of hysterectomy were abstracted from patients' medical records. Of the 165 physicians, 163 (98.8%) obtained board certification and 139 (84.2%) obtained their medical degrees in the United States. Ninety-eight percent of the physicians completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Intra- and postoperative complications were exceedingly low. Physicians performing hysterectomies on participants of SWAN appear adequately trained to carry out this commonly performed procedure.

Discrepant comorbidity between minority and white suicides: a national multiple cause-of-death analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinician training deficits and a low and declining autopsy rate adversely impact the quality of death certificates in the United States. Self-report and records data for the general population indicate that proximate mental and physical health of minority suicides was at least as poor as that of white suicides. METHODS: This cross-sectional mortality study uses data from Multiple Cause-of-Death (MCOD) public use files for 1999-2003 to describe and evaluate comorbidity among black, Hispanic, and white suicides. Unintentional injury decedents are the referent for multivariate analyses. RESULTS: One or more mentions of comorbid psychopathology are documented on the death certificates of 8% of white male suicides compared to 4% and 3% of black and Hispanic counterparts, respectively. Corresponding female figures are 10%, 8%, and 6%. Racial-ethnic discrepancies in the prevalence of comorbid physical disease are more attenuated. Cross-validation with National Violent Death Reporting System data reveals high relative under-enumeration of comorbid depression/mood disorders and high relative over-enumeration of schizophrenia on the death certificates of both minorities. In all three racial-ethnic groups, suicide is positively associated with depression/mood disorders [whites: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 31.9, 95% CI = 29.80-34.13; blacks: AOR = 60.9, 95% CI = 42.80-86.63; Hispanics: AOR = 34.7, 95% CI = 23.36-51.62] and schizophrenia [whites: AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 2.07-2.86; blacks: AOR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.73-6.37; Hispanics: AOR = 4.1, 95% CI = 2.01-8.22]. Suicide is positively associated with cancer in whites [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.69-1.93] and blacks [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.36-2.48], but not with HIV or alcohol and other substance use disorders in any group under review. CONCLUSION: The multivariate analyses indicate high consistency in predicting suicide-associated comorbidities across racial-ethnic groups using MCOD data. However, low prevalence of documented comorbid psychopathology in suicides, and concomitant racial-ethnic discrepancies underscore the need for training in death certification, and routinization and standardization of timely psychological autopsies in all cases of suicide, suspected suicide, and other traumatic deaths of equivocal cause.

Suicide-associated comorbidity among US males and females: a multiple cause-of-death analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe physical and mental comorbidity among male and female suicides in the US. This research replicates a seminal Australian study, which permits inference on comparative cause-of-death data quality. DESIGN AND SETTING: National cross-sectional study of suicides and unintentional injury decedents (comparison group) using Multiple Cause of Death (MCOD) public use files for 1999-2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of medical conditions; relative odds of suicide-associated comorbidity. RESULTS: For 14% of male suicides and 19% of female suicides, comorbidity was shown on their death certificates. Respective prevalences for mental and physical comorbidity were 7.2% and 7.1% for males and 10.0% and 9.3% for females. Mean numbers of psychopathologies mentioned were virtually identical for male and female suicides (1.22 and 1.21) for whom comorbidity was registered. Mean mentions of physical disease were lower for male suicides: 1.64 vs 1.77. Multiple medical conditions were registered for 4% of male suicides and 6% of female suicides. Suicides manifested excess comorbidity for depression and mood disorders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 34.6, 95% CI = 32.41 to 36.92), schizophrenia (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 2.16 to 2.88), and cancer (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.93 to 2.19), but unexpectedly no excess comorbidity for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The US system of death certification appears to be less fastidious than the Australian system. Although comorbidity patterns were very similar, only half as much psychopathology was reported for US suicides as for Australian suicides. A questionable deficit of comorbid physical disease was also documented for US suicides. Findings have important implications for medical training, as well as for suicide surveillance, policy, and prevention.