Detecting suicidal ideation in older patients: identifying risk factors within the general practice setting.
BACKGROUND
GPs are the most frequently accessed health professional among suicidal individuals in the community.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation among patients aged 60 years and older presenting to GPs, and the relationship between these variables in detecting patients who may be contemplating suicide.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of older patients presenting to Australian GPs between 2002 and 2003.


METHODS
One thousand and sixty-one consecutive patients aged 60 years or over attending one of 54 randomly selected Western Australian GPs.


METHODS
Prior to their medical consultation, patients completed a self-report questionnaire, which included questions about current suicidal ideation (Depressive Symptom Inventory Suicidality Subscale [DSI-SS]) and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]). Patients' chief complaints were obtained from consultation summary sheets completed by their GP.


RESULTS
Although only 5.1% of patients presented with psychological complaints, 5.8% acknowledged current suicidal ideation and 23.8% had clinically significant levels of depressive symptomatology. Suicidal ideation was associated with CES-D scores greater than 16 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 8.9), feelings of depression (OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 3.4 to 17.7), and previous suicide attempt (OR = 7.4, 95% CI = 2.7 to 20.2) in a logistic regression model, but not with poor self-perceived health, use of licit drugs (smoking, alcohol, and hypnotics), or type of presenting complaint at the time of assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Although older general practice patients tend to present for issues related to their physical health, approximately a quarter of this cohort also possess high levels of psychological distress, including current thoughts of suicide. Older patients who show any signs of depression or distress should be asked about psychological symptoms, including suicidal ideation.
Pfaff
Jon J
JJ
School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia. jjpfaff@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Almeida
Osvaldo P
OP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014904:Western Australia; D000092864:Suicide Prevention