@article{ref1,
title="Long-term effects of a screening intervention for depression on suicide rates among Japanese community-dwelling older adults",
journal="American journal of geriatric psychiatry",
year="2015",
author="Oyama, Hirofumi and Sakashita, Tomoe",
volume="24",
number="4",
pages="287-296",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To explore the long-term impact of a universal screening intervention for depression on suicide rates among older community-dwelling adults, with gender as an effect modifier. <br><br>DESIGN: Controlled cohort study reporting long-term follow-up of previous research. SETTING: Two sets of three municipalities in Japan were assigned as intervention and control regions and compared with the surrounding zone and prefecture. PARTICIPANTS: Intervention area residents aged 60 years and older (14,291) were invited to participate in a 2-year intervention (2005-2006). Four population-based dynamic cohorts of residents aged 65 years and older (1999-2010) were included as subjects, 6 years before and after the intervention started. INTERVENTION: At-risk residents within the intervention region (4,918) were invited for a two-step screening program; 2,552 participated in the program linked with care/support services for 2 years. An education program open to the public was held. MEASUREMENTS: Changes in suicide from a 6-year baseline to the 2-year intervention and a 4-year follow-up in the intervention region (11,700 adults ≥65 years) were compared with a matched control and two comparison areas using mixed-effects negative binomial regression models. Suicide rates among older adults exposed to screening were compared with those of the control region. <br><br>RESULTS: Suicide rates in the intervention region decreased by 48%, which was significantly greater than in the three comparison areas. The program's benefits lasted longer for women than men. Screening exposure may be associated with decreased suicide risk over the 4-year follow-up. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Universal screening may decrease suicide rates among older adults, with potential gender differences in treatment response.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1064-7481",
doi="10.1016/j.jagp.2015.10.008",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2015.10.008"
}