A study of suicides of older people in Sydney.
BACKGROUND
Reports based on studies of coroner's files show that suicides in old age are commonly related to depression, but that in a majority of cases disability or ill-health is also a major factor. The aim of this study was to try to understand more clearly the precipitant causes of suicide in an older population.


METHODS
An Australian metropolitan coroner's office provided data concerning suicides in 1994-1998 of persons aged over 65 years.


RESULTS
Of 210 elderly people who killed themselves, 160 (76%) were clearly depressed, including a majority of the 24% deemed to have understandable reasons for suicide. Physical ill-health or disability was the major factor leading to suicide in 34% and appeared to contribute to suicidal ideation in another 24% of those who died; they had usually not been seen by psychiatrists.


CONCLUSIONS
Because depression is often treatable, even when associated with depressing circumstances, there is potential for further reduction of old age suicide rates by recognising and appropriately responding to symptoms of depression and distress.
Snowdon
John
J
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia. jsnowdon@mail.usyd.edu.au
Baume
Pierre
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*