Do cerebrovascular risk factors confer risk for suicide in later life? A case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebrovascular pathologies have been implicated as a cause of depressive disorders. This study aims to examine the role of cerebrovascular risk factors in late-life suicide.


METHODS
The authors calculated cerebrovascular risk factor (CVRF) score, based on the American Heart Association Criteria, for each case and comparison subject from a psychological autopsy study of suicide among community-dwelling adults over age 50 years.


RESULTS
CVRF scores were significantly higher in suicide cases than community-dwelling comparison subjects after accounting for age, sex, depression diagnosis, and functional status.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebrovascular disease may predispose to suicide in older adults by a variety of psychopathological means.
Chan
Sandra S
SS
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. schan@cuhk.edu.hk
Lyness
Jeffrey M
JM
Conwell
Yeates
Y
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*