Citation

Wiktorsson S, Marlow T, Runeson BS, Skoog I, Waern M. J. Affect. Disord. 2011; 134(1-3): 333-340.

Affiliation

Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2011.06.010

PMID

21737142

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most elderly persons who attempt suicide suffer from depression. This study aimed to investigate one-year outcomes in suicide attempters aged 70+, and to identify predictors of these outcomes. METHODS: 101 persons (mean age 80) who were hospitalized after a suicide attempt were interviewed at baseline and followed for one year by record linkage. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 71% of those who were alive after one year (60 out of 85). Outcome measures included major/minor depression, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score, repeat non-fatal/fatal suicidal behavior and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: One half (52%) of all those who were interviewed scored <10 on the MADRS at follow-up. Among those with major depression at baseline, two thirds (26 out of 39) no longer fulfilled criteria for this disorder. Factors associated with non-remission of major depression (MADRS ≥10) included higher baseline depression and anxiety scores, higher suicide intent and lower Sense of Coherence. There were two suicides and six non-fatal repeat attempts. The relative risk of death (any cause) was 2.53 (95% CI=1.45-4.10, p<0.001). LIMITATIONS: This is a naturalistic study; participants received non-uniform treatment as usual. The proportion with repeat suicidal behavior was lower than anticipated and the study was thus underpowered with regard to this outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the surviving attempters were free from depressive symptoms at one-year follow-up and there were relatively few repeat attempts. However, all cause mortality remained high in this elderly cohort.

Language: en