Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV, V) from 2007–2012

Korean researchers have reported that severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased suicidal behavior. Previous studies have consistently shown links between COPD and depression, which is the strongest risk factor for suicide. A team led by Chang Hoon Han at the National Health Insurance Service Islan Hospital, used data from the 2007–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore the relationship between COPD and suicidal behavior in 2,506 patients with COPD and 13,212 control subjects. In mental health assessment surveys, 23.8% of patients with severe COPD reported having suicidal thoughts and 2.6% reported suicide attempts, compared with 15.7% and 1% of controls, respectively. These data indicate that patients with severe COPD are at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population of South Korea.