Strengths and Limitations
Despite many important findings of an association between ovarian cancer
and risk of suicide and accidental death, there are some limitations in
our study. First, the SEER database does not contain detailed
information regarding chemoradiotherapy such as cycles and dosage, which
renders it difficult to evaluate the impact of chemoradiotherapy on the
risk of suicide and accidental death. Second, data on psychiatric
status, quality of life, and social support are also unavailable in the
SEER database. Third, data on a history of psychiatric disorders,
complications of cancer and treatment, the quality of life, and social
support are also unavailable in the SEER database, therefore, we cannot
assess the direct association between these factors and the risk of
suicide and accidental death among patients with ovarian cancer.
Nevertheless, this study is the first large population-based study on
the risk of suicide and accidental death in patients with ovarian
cancer. Hence, the results of the study are reliable and applicable to
the rest of the population.