Suicide risk following a new cancer diagnosis among Veterans in Veterans Health Administration care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer diagnoses are associated with an increased risk for suicide. The aim of this study was to evaluate this association among Veterans receiving Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care, a population that has an especially high suicide risk.

Methods

Among 4,926,373 Veterans with VHA use in 2011 and in 2012 or 2013, and without VHA cancer diagnoses in 2011, we assessed suicide risk following incident cancer diagnoses. Risk time was from initial VHA use in 2012-2013 to 12/31/2018 or death, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazards regression models evaluated associations between new cancer diagnoses and suicide risk, adjusting for age, sex, VHA regional network, and mental health comorbidities. Suicide rates were calculated among Veterans with new cancer di

SUBMITTER: Dent KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9939100 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature