Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Mortality in people with depressive, anxiety and alcohol use disorders in Finland
Niina Markkula1, Tommi Härkänen, Jonna Perälä
1National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. niina.markkula@helsinki.fi
Background:
Mental disorders are associated with increased mortality, but population-based surveys with reliable diagnostic procedures controlling for somatic health status are scarce.
Aims:
To assess excess mortality associated with depressive, anxiety and alcohol use disorders and the principal causes of death.
Method:
In a nationally representative sample of Finns aged 30-70 years, psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. After an 8-year follow-up period, vital status and cause of death of each participant was obtained from national registers.
Results:
After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health status and smoking, depressive (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.97) and alcohol use disorders (HR = 1.72) were statistically significantly associated with mortality. Risk of unnatural death was increased among individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders or alcohol dependence.
Conclusions:
Individuals with depressive and alcohol use disorders have an increased mortality risk comparable with many chronic somatic conditions, that is only partly attributable to differences in sociodemographic, somatic health status and hazardous health behaviour.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Long-term Depression
