Joakim Jakobsson, Anna Karlsson, Anders Håkansson, Björn Hofvander
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Understanding violent criminality and its impact on health and eventually the risk of premature mortality is important for efficient future interventions. This study aimed to explore the effect violent criminality had on premature mortality (i.e., death before the age of 65) among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs).
Methods: The cohort was created by identifying all Swedish patients diagnosed with SUD between the first of January 2013 and 31st of December 2014. The individuals were split into three age categories.
Results: There were significant differences in standard mortality rates (SMR) in the cohort compared to the general Swedish population across the three age categories. We found differences between the SMRs for individuals convicted of violent and nonviolent crimes in the two younger age categories [age 15-29: violent crime (42.4) vs. non-violent crime (36.6), age 30-44: violent crime (28.0) vs. non-violent crime (23.0)]. A Cox regression analysis showed that each conviction of a violent crime increased the hazard ratio (HR) of premature mortality significantly [age 15-29; HR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04-1.17), age 30-44; HR =1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.09)]. After correcting for non-violent crimes, the increased risk only remained for the youngest group [HR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.00-1.13)].
Discussion: This study suggests that criminal behavior constitutes a proxy for the risk behaviors that increase the risk of premature mortality among young individuals with SUD even after controlling for confounders. Longitudinal studies, examining time-dependent risks and protective influences, are needed to explain the different pathways and processes leading to the amplified premature mortality in the groups.
期刊介绍:
Frontiers in Psychiatry publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research across a wide spectrum of translational, basic and clinical research. Field Chief Editor Stefan Borgwardt at the University of Basel is supported by an outstanding Editorial Board of international researchers. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide.
The journal''s mission is to use translational approaches to improve therapeutic options for mental illness and consequently to improve patient treatment outcomes.