Lack of Association between Barometric Pressure and Completed Suicide

Background: We have previously performed a study in which we have found that emergency psychiatric visits increase when barometric pressure is low. In that same study we also found that violent crimes increase when the barometric pressure is low. We investigated suicides in that study, and found no effect but our suicide sample was underpowered. Methods: We obtained barometric pressure data for Jefferson County, Kentucky, from the NOAA Midwestern Regional Climate Center. We obtained suicide data for Jefferson County from the Jefferson County Coroner's office. We performed a regression analysis between pressure information and suicides. We investigated the time period between January 2002 through August 2010. Results: There was no relationship between the average daily barometric pressure and the likelihood of suicide. Discussion: While previous work revealed that there was a relationship between impulsive violence, and impulsive behaviors resulting in emergency psychiatric visits. The current study suggests that there is no relationship between barometric pressure and completed suicide.