Table 2

Crude death rates and HRs of suicide death by alcohol consumption-related variables in the Korean elderly

VariablesClassificationPerson-yearsNumber of suicidesCrude suicide rate* (95% CI)UnadjustedMultivariable-adjusted
p ValueHR (95% CI)p ValueHR† (95% CI)
Alcohol intake statusNon-drinker61 0662846 (32 to 66)1.00 (Reference)1.00 (Reference)
Current drinker27 31033121 (86 to 170)<0.0012.88 (1.74 to 4.77)0.0971.70 (0.91 to 3.17)
Alcohol intake frequencyNon-drinker61 0662846 (32 to 66)1.00 (Reference)1.00 (Reference)
4 or fewer days a month8737669 (31 to 150)0.3481.53 (0.63 to 3.68)0.7471.16 (0.47 to 2.91)
2–6 days a week13 18015114 (69 to 188)0.0022.76 (1.47 to 5.17)0.2461.60 (0.72 to 3.52)
Daily539312223 (127 to 389)<0.0015.85 (2.97 to 11.6)0.0033.62 (1.56 to 8.43)
Alcohol intake frequencyOne drinking day increase per week88 3766169 (54 to 89)<0.0011.26 (1.16 to 1.38)0.0061.17 (1.05 to 1.31)
Alcohol intake amount, g alcohol/drinking day (drink/drinking day)‡Non-drinker61 0662846 (32 to 66)1.00 (Reference)1.00 (Reference)
Below 70 g (5 drinks)13 796965 (34 to 124)0.2601.54 (0.73 to 3.27)0.8541.08 (0.48 to 2.45)
70–139 (5–9 drinks)967016165 (102 to 269)<0.0013.95 (2.14 to 7.31)0.0242.47 (1.12 to 5.41)
140 or over (≥10 drinks)38448208 (105 to 410)<0.0015.15 (2.34 to 11.3)0.0282.84 (1.12 to 7.18)
Alcohol intake amount5-drink (70 g) increase per drinking day88 3766169 (54 to 89)<0.0011.58 (1.35 to 1.85)0.0021.38 (1.13 to 1.7)
Alcohol intake amount, g alcohol/week (drink/week)‡Non-drinker61 0662846 (32 to 66)1.00 (Reference)1.00 (Reference)
Below 70 g (5 drinks)10 305658 (27 to 127)0.5481.31 (0.54 to 3.16)0.9760.99 (0.39 to 2.49)
70–209 g (5–14 drinks)5605589 (38 to 209)0.0982.24 (0.86 to 5.8)0.5261.42 (0.48 to 4.15)
210–419 g (15–29 drinks)43758183 (93 to 360)<0.0014.53 (2.06 to 9.95)0.0222.99 (1.17 to 7.61)
420 g or over (≥30 drinks)702514199 (119 to 334)<0.0014.91 (2.58 to 9.34)0.0122.93 (1.27 to 6.78)
Alcohol intake amount140 g (10-drink) increase per week88 3766169 (54 to 89)<0.0011.16 (1.1 to 1.21)<0.0011.12 (1.06 to 1.19)
  • *Death rate per 100 000 person-years.

  • †Adjusted for age at enrolment (continuous variable), sex (men, women), smoking status (current smoker, past smoker, never smoker), body mass index (kg/m2; <18.5, 18.5–24.9, ≥25), hypertension (measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or on regular medication; yes, no), self-rated health compared to the same age group (good or fair, poor), marital status (living with a spouse, not living with a spouse), education (ever, never) and occupation (non-agriculture, agriculture).

  • ‡1 standard drink as around 14 g according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the USA.