title: High Early Suicide Risk in Elderly Patients After Self-Poisoning.
abstract: This article reports the findings of a follow-up study of suicide mortality in elderly patients after an index episode of self-poisoning. A total of 222 consecutive patients (143 female) aged 65 years or older (mean age 76.5 years; range 65-100) presenting at the emergency department of the Karolinska University Hospital after self-poisoning during 1994-2000, were followed up for the cause of death by January 1, 2006. Survival analysis was applied to study suicide and death risk. Of the 15 suicides, 13 (87%) occurred during the first year after the index episode of self-poisoning (cumulative suicide risk 6.2%). The risk of dying of all causes during the first year was increased fourfold. Self-poisoning in both elderly men and women is associated with high early suicide risk.
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokinen
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordström
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samuelsson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: elderly; emergency department; self-poisoning; suicide