[Suicide Attempt in Elderly Individuals in a Tertiary Health Center: 13-Year Follow-up]

Suicide is a major cause of death among people aged 60 and over. Suicide attempts (SA) are a significant risk factor.

To describe and evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with SA in elderly patients hospitalized in the Psychiatry Unit of Herminda Martin Hospital in Chillán, Chile, and to follow up on this behavior over 13 years.

Correlational study with statistically based data and a 13-year case series follow-up. The study included 49 elderly individuals with SA and 194 without SA who were hospitalized in psychiatric care between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2023. Follow-up continued until October 2024. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed.

SA was significantly associated with older age groups (over 70 years), male sex, the presence of stress factors in the primary support group, and housing problems. The most common suicide methods were medication ingestion and asphyxiation by hanging. Suicidal behavior was significantly associated with psychiatric diagnoses, particularly depressive disorder, but not with comorbid medical illnesses. A considerable percentage had previous SA and repeated the behavior after discharge. The most cited precipitating factors and reasons for wanting to die were family conflicts and adverse emotions. During follow-up, one suicide, two deaths from complications of a new SA, and one death from medical conditions during hospitalization for SA were recorded.

The characteristics of SA in the elderly resemble those of suicide. In this age group, prevention efforts should focus not only on detecting and treating depression but also on addressing previous suicidal behavior, adverse psychosocial factors, and ensuring continuity of care with follow-up interventions.