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Identifying suicidal ideation among older adults in a general practice setting
Jon J Pfaff1, Osvaldo P Almeida
1School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, RPH Ainslie House-M573, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia. jjpfaff@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Journal of Affective Disorders
|November 18, 2004
Summary
Older adults contemplating suicide often see a general practitioner (GP). Depression and a history of suicide attempts are key indicators of suicidal ideation in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide is a significant concern in older adults, with many consulting general practitioners (GPs) before death.
- Identifying risk factors for suicidal ideation in this population is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical and demographic characteristics of older adults experiencing suicidal ideation who are in contact with a GP.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 504 patients aged 60+ attending Western Australian GPs.
- Patients completed self-report questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation (DSI-SS), depression (CES-D), and other clinical/demographic factors.
Main Results:
- 6.3% of older patients reported current suicidal ideation.
- Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with occasional depression (OR=7.3), high CES-D scores (OR=3.6), and a history of suicide attempts (OR=15.5).
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms are strongly linked to suicidal ideation in older adults.
- Enhancing GPs' ability to identify and treat depression in elderly patients may reduce suicide rates.