Ht. Sorensen et al., Risk of suicide in users of beta-adrenoceptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, BR J CL PH, 52(3), 2001, pp. 313-318
Aims To examine the risk of suicide in users of beta -adrenoceptor blockers
, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
Methods We conducted a cohort study based on linkage of a population-based
prescription registry in North Jutland County, Denmark, and the nation, vid
e Death Registry. From 1989 to 1995 there were 58 529 users of beta -adreno
ceptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin converting enzym
e inhibitors. The mortality rates from suicides in the cohort members were
compared with the rates in the general population.
Results One hundred and four suicides occurred in the cohorts. The standard
ized mortality ratio for suicide in users of beta -adrenoceptor blockers wa
s 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-2.1), in users of calcium channel block
ers 1.2 (95% confidence interval: 0.8-1.7), and in users of angiotensin con
verting enzyme inhibitors 1.2 (95% confidence interval: 0.7-1.8). In users
of beta -adrenoceptor blockers, the risk of suicide was increased during th
e first 12 months after the start of therapy, standardized mortality ratio
2.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.5). There was a trend in the standardiz
ed mortality ratio of suicide from 0.9 (95% confidence interval: 0.4-1.9) i
n users of beta -adrenoceptor blockers with low lipid solubility, to 1.6 (0
.8-2.8) and 2.7 (1.7-4.1) in users of beta -adrenoceptor blockers with medi
um and high lipid solubility, respectively.
Conclusions Users of medium and high lipid soluble beta -adrenoceptor block
ers may have an increased risk of suicide. Users of calcium channel blocker
s and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors do not seem to have a signif
icantly increased risk of suicide.