Age and suicidal ideation in older depressed inpatients

Author(s): Conwell, Y., Seidlitz, L., Lyness, J. M., Cox, C., Caine, E. D.

Journal/Book: Amer J Geriatr Psychiatr. 1999; 7: 1400 K St N W, Ste 1101, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Amer Psychiatric Press, Inc. 289-296.

Abstract: Age-related patterns of symptom presentation may complicate the recognition of suicide risk. The authors sought to determine whether there is a relationship between age and reported suicidal ideation in depressed suicide attempters (DSAs) and depressed nonattempters (DNs) 50 years of age and over Regression analyses revealed that increasing age is significantly associated with the absence of suicidal ideation in both DSAs and DNs. Because of their lower rates of depressed mood and suicidal ideation, the depressions of older adults may more readily escape detection. Preventive or treatment measures initiated after the onset of the suicidal state may be insufficient, and other preventive strategies ought to be considered.

Note: Article Duberstein PR, Univ Rochester, Med Ctr, Dept Psychiat, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester,NY 14642 USA

Keyword(s): PRIMARY-CARE PATIENTS; COMPLETED SUICIDE; MAJOR DEPRESSION; PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY; SCALE; BEHAVIOR; LIFE

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