Beliefs about antidepressants among persons aged 70 years and older in treatment after a suicide attempt.
BACKGROUND
The use of antidepressants is associated with decreased suicide risk in late life, and these drugs are often prescribed after a suicide attempt. Yet little is known about attitudes to antidepressants in older persons with suicidal behavior. The aim of this study was to assess beliefs about antidepressant medicines in older persons in treatment one year after a suicide attempt.


METHODS
Forty-four individuals aged 70 years and older, who were treated in emergency wards at five hospitals in western Sweden in connection with a suicide attempt, were interviewed at index attempt and one year later. Beliefs about medicines questionnaire (BMQ) specific for antidepressants were analyzed one year after index attempt, in relation to sociodemographic variables, medication use, psychiatric evaluation, and personality traits.


RESULTS
The majority of participants perceived the necessity of their antidepressant medicine to outweigh their concerns. Lower perceived necessity of antidepressants was observed in those who were not on antidepressants at the time of the attempt as well as those with no prior history of suicide attempt before the index attempt. Individuals reporting hopelessness at follow-up had a higher perceived concern about using medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Beliefs about antidepressants tended to be more positive than negative in older persons taking these drugs in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Further studies are called for, and should include objective measures of medication adherence.
Nordic Health Economics AB,Gothenburg,Sweden.
Eva
E
Lesén
Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,Sahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg,Sweden.
Stefan
S
Wiktorsson
Medical Products Agency,Uppsala,Sweden.
Anders
A
Carlsten
Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,Sahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg,Sweden.
Margda
M
Waern
Dept. of Public Health and Community Medicine,Institute of Medicine,Sahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg,Sweden.
Tove
T
Hedenrud
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents
beliefs about antidepressants; older persons; suicide attempt