Objectives To determine the incidence rate of suicide from 2002 to 2022 among athletes from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and assess for potential differences by, sex, race, division and sport. Methods NCAA athlete deaths over a 20-year period from 2002 to 2022 were identified. Poisson regression models were built to assess changes in incidence rates over time. Linear and quadratic fits between year and suicide incidence for males and females were evaluated. Results Of 1102 total deaths, 128 (11.6%) deaths by suicide were reported (male n=98, female n=30). The overall incidence was 1:71 145 athlete-years (AYs). Over the last decade, suicide was the second most common cause of death after accidents. The proportion of deaths by suicide doubled from the first 10 years (7.6%) to the second 10 years (15.3%). The suicide incidence rate for males increased linearly (5-year incidence rate ratio 1.32 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.53)), whereas a quadratic association was identified among female athletes (p=0.002), with the incidence rate reaching its lowest point in females in 2010–2011 and increasing thereafter. Male cross-country athletes had the highest suicide incidence rate (1:29 815 AYs) and Division I and II athletes had a higher suicide incidence rate than Division III athletes. No significant differences in suicide incidence rates by sex, race or sport were identified. Conclusion Deaths by suicide among NCAA athletes increased in both males and females throughout the 20-year study period, and suicide is now the second most common cause of death in this population. Greater suicide prevention efforts geared towards NCAA athletes are warranted. Data are available upon reasonable request.

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全国大学体育协会运动员的自杀情况：20 年分析

目的 确定 2002 年至 2022 年美国大学体育协会 (NCAA) 运动员的自杀发生率，并评估性别、种族、级别和运动项目之间的潜在差异。方法 确定 2002 年至 2022 年 20 年间 NCAA 运动员死亡情况。建立泊松回归模型来评估发病率随时间的变化。评估了男性和女性的年份与自杀率之间的线性和二次拟合。结果 在 1102 例死亡病例中，有 128 例（11.6%）死于自杀（男性 n=98，女性 n=30）。总体发生率为 1:71 145 运动员年 (AY)。在过去的十年中，自杀是仅次于事故的第二大常见死因。自杀死亡比例从第一个10年（7.6%）到第二个10年（15.3%）翻了一番。男性自杀率呈线性上升（5年发生率比为1.32（95% CI 1.14至1.53）），而女性运动员则呈二次相关（p=0.002），自杀率在2017年达到最低点。 2010-2011 年为女性，此后不断增加。男性越野运动员的自杀发生率最高（1:29 815 AYs），一级和二级运动员的自杀发生率高于三级运动员。不同性别、种族或运动项目的自杀率没有显着差异。结论 在 20 年的研究期间，NCAA 运动员中男性和女性的自杀死亡人数均有所增加，自杀目前已成为该人群第二大常见死因。有必要加大针对 NCAA 运动员的自杀预防力度。数据可根据合理要求提供。