Suicide in alcoholism. A prospective study of 55 cases with autopsy findings.

In a previous paper we reported prospective ratings for 88 alcoholic suicides. At the initial admission they had more often signs of peptic ulcer, depression, dysphoria and brittleness than other alcoholics. In 55 of these alcoholics an autopsy was performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital, Lund. In 37 cases the blood alcohol level was measured (at time of death). Alcoholics with brittleness had more often blood alcohol levels over 0.1% than others, and alcoholics with dysphoria more often negative tests even if the suicide generally was associated with previous drinking. Concerning the blood alcohol level alcoholics with peptic ulcer did not differ from the others. Alcoholics with initial depression had more often previous suicide attempts. Twenty (36%) of the alcoholics had experienced a personal loss during the year preceding the suicide. The possible implications of the findings for suicide prevention strategies is discussed.