Suicide in people prescribed opioid-agonist therapy in Scotland, United Kingdom, 2011-2020: A national retrospective cohort study
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) significantly reduces suicide risk in individuals with opioid dependence in Scotland. Despite rising drug-related deaths, suicide rates among this population have decreased over time while on OAT.
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background
- Opioid dependence is linked to elevated suicide risk.
- Drug-related mortality in Scotland has surged since 2010.
- Suicide trends among opioid-dependent individuals require further investigation.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate the protective effect of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) against suicide in Scotland.
- To analyze trends in suicide rates among individuals with opioid dependence over a decade.
Main Methods
- Retrospective cohort study of 46,453 individuals receiving OAT in Scotland (2011-2020).
- Calculation of standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for suicide.
- Multivariable competing-risk regression models to assess OAT exposure and temporal trends.
Main Results
- The overall suicide rate was 1.89 per 1000 person-years, 7.05 times higher than the general population.
- OAT was highly protective, with suicide rates over three times greater off OAT (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.07).
- Suicide rates declined from 2.57 per 1000 person-years in 2011-12 to 1.48 in 2019-20.
Conclusions
- Individuals with opioid dependence face a substantially higher suicide risk.
- Opioid agonist therapy demonstrates significant protective benefits against suicide.
- Suicide rates decreased over the study period, contrasting with rising drug-related deaths.
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