Sex- and age-related increase in prevalence rates of death wishes and suicidal ideation in the community: results from the KORA-F3 Augsburg Study with 3,154 men and women, 35 to 84 years of age.
Among risk factors for suicide, suicidal ideation (SID) is of paramount importance. This study sought to determine sex- and age-related SID point prevalence rates in the general population. A population-based survey of 3154 subjects, 35 to 84 years, conducted in 2004/05 in southern Germany, identified 170 subjects (5.4%; 95% CI 4.6-6.2) suffering from SID within the last 14 days. Age-adjusted short-term period prevalence in women (6.0%, 95% CI 4.9.-7.2) was higher than in men (4.0%, 95% CI 3.1-5.1). Among 10-year age groups, sex-related differences were only significant in middle-aged subjects (55-64 years). Prevalence increased significantly with age, leading to a prevalence of >10% in the oldest age group (75-84 years). The population-based approach demonstrates a substantial proportion of subjects suffering from SID, particularly in older age groups.
Ladwig
Karl-Heinz
KH
Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany. ladwig@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Klupsch
Daniela
D
Ruf
Esther
E
Meisinger
Christa
C
Baumert
Jens
J
Erazo
Natalia
N
Wichmann
Heinz-Erich
HE
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires