Childhood adversity, mental health and suicide (CHASE): a methods protocol for a longitudinal case-control linked data study

Dougall, N. J. et al. (2020) Childhood adversity, mental health and suicide (CHASE): a methods protocol for a longitudinal case-control linked data study. International Journal of Population Data Science, 5(1), 1338. (doi: 10.23889/ijpds.v5i1.1338) (PMID:34232970) (PMCID:PMC7473285)

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Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is a tragic outcome with devastating consequences. In 2018, Scotland experienced a 15% increase in suicide from 680 to 784 deaths. This was marked among young people, with an increase of 53% in those aged 15-24, the highest since 2007. Early intervention in those most at risk is key, but identification of individuals at risk is complex, and efforts remain largely targeted towards universal suicide prevention strategies with little evidence of effectiveness. Recent evidence suggests childhood adversity is a predictor of subsequent poor social and health outcomes, including suicide. This protocol reports on methodology for harmonising lifespan hospital contacts for childhood adversity, mental health, and suicidal behaviour. This will inform where to 1) focus interventions, 2) prioritise trauma-informed approaches, and 3) adapt support avenues earlier in life for those most at risk. Methods: This study will follow a case-control design. Scottish hospital data (physical health SMR01; mental health SMR04; maternity/birth record SMR02; mother’s linked data SMR01, SMR04, death records) from 1981 to as recent as available will be extracted for people who died by suicide aged 10-34, and linked on Community Health Index unique identifier. A randomly selected control population matched on age and geography at death will be extracted in a 1:10 ratio. International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes will be harmonised between ICD9-CM, ICD9, ICD10-CM and ICD10 for childhood adversity, mental health, and suicidal behaviour. Results: ICD codes for childhood adversity from four key studies are reported in two categories, 1) Maltreatment or violence-related codes, and 2) Codes suggestive of maltreatment. ‘Clinical Classifications Software’ ICD codes to operationalise mental health codes are also reported. Harmonised lifespan ICD categories were achieved semi-automatically, but required labour-intensive supplementary manual coding. Cross-mapped codes are reported. Conclusions: There is a dearth of evidence about touchpoints prior to suicide. This study reports methods and harmonised ICD codes along the lifespan to understand hospital contact patterns for childhood adversity, which come to the attention of hospital practitioners.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:O'Connor, Professor Rory
Authors: Dougall, N. J., Savinc, J., Maxwell, M., Karatzias, T., O'Connor, R. C., Williams, B., Grandison, G., John, A., Cheyne, H., Fyvie, C., Bisson, J. I., Hibberd, C., Abbott-Smith, S., and Nolan, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:International Journal of Population Data Science
Publisher:Swansea University
ISSN:2399-4908
ISSN (Online):2399-4908
Published Online:02 April 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in International Journal of Population Data Science 5(1): 1338
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
302211The role of CHildhood Adversities and their subsequent impact on mental ill-health and Suicidal behaviour (CHASe)Rory O'ConnorOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)CSO HIPS/17/48HW - Mental Health and Wellbeing