Psychotic (delusional) major depression in the elderly and suicidal behaviour.
BACKGROUND
It has been established that depressed patients manifest a higher risk of committing suicide. The role of delusional experiences accompanying depressive symptomatology as a risk factor for suicidal behaviour has been investigated but the results are inconsistent.


METHODS
In the present study, 40 elderly depressed inpatients with psychotic features (DSM-IV criteria) were compared to 64 elderly depressed patients without such features in terms of suicide attempts.


RESULTS
The results of univariate and multivariate analyses were negative: Psychotic and nonpsychotic depressed patients did not differ with respect to attempted suicide.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study support the notion that psychotic features do not increase the risk for the elderly depressed patients to attempt suicide.
Lykouras
Lefteris
L
Athens University Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital, 74, Vas. Sophias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece. gnchrist@compulink.gr
Gournellis
Rossetos
R
Fortos
Andreas
A
Oulis
Panagiotis
P
Christodoulou
George N
GN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*