Most insulin overdose deaths are actually suicides, study shows
Forensic data reveal a consistent rate of suicide among people with diabetes, not all of whom had a history of depression
Suicides involving insulin are much more common than accidental insulin overdose deaths, accounting for more than two-thirds of cases, a study suggests.
The researchers reviewed fatal cases of insulin overdose in SA among people with diabetes and others who had access to insulin over the past two decades.
Some 40 cases were identified, equating to an average of two deaths a year, reported the researchers, led by forensic pathologist Professor Roger Byard, from the University of Adelaide.
Drawing on data from the National Coronial Information System and Forensic Science SA, they found that 29 deaths (73%) were suicides.
