Duodenal ulcer, suicide, psychopathology and alcoholism

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Abstract
The incidence of suicide in a consecutive series of 1000 patients, who underwent Billroth II resection for duodenal ulcer, was estimated. After an observation period of 21-29 yr 13.7% of those who had died had committed suicide. The psychiatric morbidity in this ulcer group was very high. Among the psychiatric diseases alcoholism was dominating, but non-psychotic conditions such as neurosis and psychopathy were frequent. Of the persons who had committed suicide, 50% were alcoholics and the alcohol abuse seemed to develop after surgery. Gastric resection for duodenal ulcer may have pathogenetic importance in the development of alcoholism, which is known as a predictor of suicide. The importance of considering psychiatric disturbances in the postoperative follow-up is stressed.

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