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Predictors of suicide in the old elderly
Margda Waern1, Eva Rubenowitz, Katarina Wilhelmson
1Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. margda.waern@neuro.gu.se
Gerontology
|August 16, 2003
Summary
Suicide risk factors in seniors 75+ include family conflict, illness, loneliness, and depression. Older adults with depression were less likely to receive treatment, highlighting a need for better recognition and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Seniors aged 75 and above exhibit the highest suicide rates globally.
- Research on suicide risk factors in the oldest elderly population is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify predictors of suicide in individuals aged 75 and older.
- Compare findings with the younger elderly population (65-74 years).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study in western Sweden involving 85 suicide cases and 153 controls.
- Data collection via informant interviews, personal interviews, and medical record reviews.
- Utilized the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale - Geriatrics to assess illness burden.
Main Results:
- For the 75+ group, predictors of suicide included family conflict, serious physical illness, loneliness, major depression, and minor depression.
- Economic problems were associated with suicide in younger elderly but not in the older group.
- Older elderly suicide victims with depression were less likely to have received treatment compared to younger counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced recognition and treatment of major and minor depression are crucial for suicide prevention in the oldest elderly.
- There is a significant need for intervention studies with substantial senior participant numbers.