Alcohol use disorder in elderly suicide attempters: a comparison study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern, particularly among aging populations.
• Suicide attempts in older adults represent a critical and often under-addressed issue.
• Understanding the comorbidity of AUD and suicidal behavior in the elderly is crucial for effective prevention and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults hospitalized for suicide attempts versus a general population comparison group.
• To examine differences in previous suicidal behavior among older adults with and without AUD who attempted suicide.

Main Methods:

• A case-comparison study was conducted in five hospitals in Western Sweden.
• 103 participants aged 70 years and older, hospitalized for suicide attempts (2003-2006), were compared to 412 randomly selected individuals from population studies.
• Lifetime AUD was assessed using interviews, case records, and hospital discharge registers; depression was rated using the Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale.

Main Results:

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) was diagnosed in 26% of older adults who attempted suicide, compared to 4% in the control group (OR: 10.5, 95% CI: 4.9-22.5).
• This strong association was observed in both men and women.
• Individuals with AUD who attempted suicide were more likely to have a history of prior suicide attempts, with AUD associated with a longer interval between the first and index attempt.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and hospital-treated suicide attempts in older adults across both sexes.
• The findings highlight the vulnerability of the growing elderly population to suicide and the importance of addressing AUD.
• Further comparative research in diverse settings is recommended to inform global suicide prevention strategies for older adults.