Meteorological Variables and Suicidal Behavior: Air Pollution and Apparent Temperature Are Associated With High-Lethality Suicide Attempts and Male Gender.

Andrea Aguglia,Marco Capello,Mario Amore,Alessandra Costanza,Andrea Amerio,Davide Scafidi,Elisa Montagna,Gabriele Ferretti,Laura Cutroneo,Andrea Escelsior,Gianluca Serafini,Gabriele Giacomini

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.653390

Abstract

This study analyzed the impact of meteorological variables and high-lethality suicide attempts (HLSA) to assess a potential time shift of HLSA affected by climate evolution to predict the suicide attempt cases over different periods of the year. After attempting suicide, 225 subjects were admitted to the emergency ward of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and later to the psychiatric unit from March 2016 to July 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the meteorological variables were collected. The Mann-Kendall test as well as redundancy and cross-correlation analyses were performed to analyze the trends, statistically correlations, and correspondence of the trends, respectively between suicidal behaviors and climatic factors. Sixty-seven (29.8%) committed a HLSA. Our findings indicate a significant association between HLSA and male gender and apparent temperature with a strong correlation of 75% with a phase shift of −1 month. Solar radiation and air pollution (PM2.5) have a positive correlation of 65 and 32%, respectively, with a zero-time lag. Limitations include that the data are limited to a single hospital; psychological factors, or other clinical variables that could be ruled out as a trigger have not been considered. Meteorological variables may not mirror the temperature that the patient is exposed to due to the air conditioning systems. Exploring those environmental factors associated with HLSA in a more detailed manner could lead to early intervention and prevention strategies for such distressing admissions.

Highlights

Suicide is a preventable public health issue causing more than 800.000 annual deaths globally; it is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-years-olds worldwide [1].High-Lethality Suicide Attempts and WeatherClimate changes based on extreme temperatures, floods, drought, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfire can lead distress symptoms, suicidal behaviors, and psychiatric disorders in the general population
We included 225 subjects admitted for suicide attempt, of which 29.8% (N = 67) presented a high-lethality suicide attempts (HLSA) and 70.2% (N = 158) a lethality suicide attempt (LLSA)
The increase in PM2.5 corresponds with an increase in suicide attempts albeit with a relatively low degree of correlation. This is the first Italian study investigating the correlation between HLSA and several meteorological variables

Summary

Introduction

Climate changes based on extreme temperatures, floods, drought, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfire can lead distress symptoms, suicidal behaviors, and psychiatric disorders in the general population. Global warming fits into this context with possible negative influence of environmental parameters on mental health and psychiatric disorders through both indirect and direct factors [2, 3]. Mental disorders and rates of attempted and complete suicidal behaviors have been studied for years to understand their trends and triggers and identify the influence of external risk factors such as social, economic, and environmental factors [4,5,6]. A strong association was reported between climate effects vs economic factors on suicidal behavior. It has been hypothesized that higher lithium levels in drinking water may be associated with a reduced risk of suicidal behaviors in the general population [7,8,9]

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