The Characteristics of Elderly Patients With Suicide Attempts: A Comparative Study With Non-elderly Patients

Background: Social changes related to the elderly in regard to factors such as population, region, cohabitant status and depression incidence, have recently been observed. The aim of our study was to investigate the characteristics of elderly suicide attempters according to these changes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of suicide attempters who visited an Emergency Department between January 2013 and March 2016. Patients were classified into an elderly or non-elderly group. Data included demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics. The Risk-Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS) and Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) scores were calculated. Results: Of 340 patients, 78 were elderly. Male sex, lower educational and financial status, chronic disease, and depression were more common in the elderly group, while previous history of suicide attempt was more frequent in the non-elderly group. RRRS was higher in the elderly group, while SIS was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Unlike the non-elderly group, no correlation between suicide lethality and intention was found in the elderly group. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified that chronic disease, depression, unemployment, cohabitation, and high lethality were risk factors of suicidal attempts in the elderly. Similar results were observed in the study classified by suicide method. Conclusion: Chronic disease, depression, unemployment, and lethality were found to be risk factors of suicidal attempts in the elderly. However, unlike previous reports, several risk factors, including male sex, cohabitation, and suicide intention took on a different aspect in our study. The differences in these characteristics can be an important guide aiming to develop specific elderly suicide precautions.