Table 1.
Suicide among Veterans from the Vietnam to Modern Eras
| Authors | Samples & Years Data Collected | Study Designs | Outcome Measures | Key Findings on Suicide Variables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibbons et al., 2012 | • 27,391 (24.6% active or former military) suicide deaths among men aged >17; • 2005-2008. |
Cross-sectional | Completed Suicide | • Estimated 24% of all suicides were by former military, Risk Ratio 1.29; • Veterans Aged 17-24 Relative Risk 3.84; Veterans Aged 25-75 1.5; Veterans Aged >75 1.36. |
| McFarland et al., 2010 | • 5,948 Female Suicidal Descendants; • 2004-2007. |
Cross-sectional | Completed Suicide | • Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) Military Service Population: aged 18-34 1.76, CI 1.32-2.27; aged 35-44 1.76, CI 1.32-2.27; aged 35-44 1.30, CI 1.00-1.66; • SMR Veterans aged 18-34 3.05, CI 2.31-3.96; aged 35-44 1.78, CI 1.37-2.29; aged 45-64 1.58, CI 1.27-1.95. |
| Kaplan et al., 2009 | • 28,534 (30% women) Suicide Decedents; • 2003-2006 |
Cross-sectional | Completed Suicide | • Female veterans aged 18-34 had the highest rate; |
| Kang & Bullman, 2008 | • 490,346 OIF/OEF veterans; • October 2001-December 2005 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • SMR 1.15, CI 0.97-1.35; • Active Duty Veterans SMR 1.33, CI 1.03-1.69; • Veterans with Mental Disorder SMR 1.77, CI 1.01-2.87 |
| Cypel & Kang, 2008 | • 9,911 Females (46% Vietnam Veterans); • Through 2004 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • Vietnam veterans had lower mortality than women in the US population for all causes (SMR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.94); • Adjusted Suicide Relative Risk 0.90, CI 0.44-1.85. |
| Boehmer et al., 2004 | • 18,313 Army Vietnam Veterans; • Discharge (1965-1977)-2000 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • 0-5 years from discharge, 34.5% Veterans and 20.1% non-Veterans committed suicide for a Crude Rate Ratio (CRR)=1.72, CI 0.76-3.88; • >5 years from discharge, 23.7% Veterans and 25.7% non-Veterans (CRR 0.93, CI 0.64-1.34). |
| Kang & Bullman, 2001 | • 621,902 Gulf War (7% women) & 746,291 non War Veterans (13.3% women); • 1991-1997 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • Suicide Rate for Male War Veterans 1.8,* non War Veterans 1.9; • Male Adjusted Rate Ration (ARR) 0.92, CI 0.83-1.02. • Suicide Rate for Female War Veterans 0.8, Non War Veterans 0.6; • Female ARR 1.29, CI 0.78-2.31. |
| Bullman & Kang, 1996 | • 34,534 Wounded Army Vietnam Veterans; • Injury to death or 1991 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)=1.12, CI 0.96-1.30; • Wounded ≥ 2 times SMR 1.58, CI 1.06-2.26; • Hospitalized ≥ 2 SMR 1.73, CI 1.10-2.60. |
| Kang & Bullman, 1996 | • 695,516 (7.2% women) Gulf War & 746,291 (13.3% women) Non War Veterans; • 1990-September 1993 |
Retrospective Cohort Study | Completed Suicide | • Adjusted Suicide Rate Ratio 1.47, CI 0.63-3.43 • War Veterans Suicide Mortality Rate 1.53* vs. non-War Veterans 1.54 (ARR) =0.94, CI 0.79-1.12) |
*
per 10,000 person-years
**per 100,000 person-years.