Abstract
A seasonal suicide peak in spring is highly replicated, but its specific cause is unknown. We reviewed the literature on suicide risk factors which can be associated with seasonal variation of suicide rates, assessing published articles from 1979 to 2011. Such risk factors include environmental determinants, including physical, chemical, and biological factors. We also summarized the influence of potential demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, month of birth, socioeconomic status, methods of prior suicide attempt, and comorbid psychiatric and medical diseases. Comprehensive evaluation of risk factors which could be linked to the seasonal variation in suicide is important, not only to identify the major driving force for the seasonality of suicide, but also could lead to better suicide prevention in general.
Highlights
Several epidemiological studies have described a seasonal variation of suicide rates, with a highly replicated suicide peak in springtime [1,2]
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been associated with suicide [55] but no seasonal pattern has been reported in relation to HIV-related suicide rates neither has HIV been known to manifest a seasonal pattern of infectivity
As allergy-related diseases are associated with suicide completion, seasonal changes in allergens may lead to seasonal increase in incidence and exacerbation of allergic disorders which in turn could potentially be associated with peak in suicide rates, mediated through molecular and cellular components of allergic inflammation affecting the brain [13]
Summary
Several epidemiological studies have described a seasonal variation of suicide rates, with a highly replicated suicide peak in springtime [1,2]. Public Health 2012, 9 the spring peak is on the decline, while new small peaks are occurring at other times of the year, especially in industrialized Western countries [3,4] In spite of it being a well replicated phenomenon, the empirical finding of seasonal peaks in suicide is poorly understood. To date many risk factors for suicide have been reported and they can be categorized by demographic, social and clinical characteristics. Environmental factors such as the amount of sunshine and distribution of aeroallergens vary with the seasons Clinical variables such as allergic illness, viral infections and mood disorders manifest seasonal variations and such variations could potentially be associated with the seasonal variation of suicide rate. We discuss the presence of seasonality of suicide, the strength and the clinical implication of the association for each risk factor
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