Table 3 Studies on the potential anti-suicidal effects of lithium as a trace element in drinking water
From: The suicide prevention effect of lithium: more than 20 years of evidence—a narrative review
Year | Author | Measurement | Number of samples | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2009/Japan | Ohgami et al. | Li level in drinking water | 18 municipalities | Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) negatively correlated with Li levels |
2011/UK | Kabacs et al. | Li level in drinking (tap) water | 47 samples from 47 subdivisions | No association between lithium levels in drinking (tap) water and mortality from suicide in the East of England |
2011/Austria | Kapusta et al. | Li level in drinking water | 6460 lithium measures of 99 Austrian districts | Suicide rate, SMR inversely associated with Li levels |
2013/Greece | Giotakus et al. | Li level in drinking water | 149 water samples from 34 prefectures | Tendency for lower suicide rates in the prefectures with high levels of lithium in drinking water |
2013/USA | Blüml et al. | Li level in public water | 3123 lithium water samples, 226 counties | Higher lithium levels in the public drinking water were associated with lower suicide rates |
2015/Italy | Vita et al. | Li level in drinking water | Review | Higher levels in drinking water may be associated with reduced risk of suicide in the general population |