Turvey Carolyn L, Conwell Yeates, Jones Michael P, Phillips Caroline, Simonsick Eleanor, Pearson Jane L, Wallace Robert
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242-1009, USA.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002 Jul-Aug;10(4):398-406.
Despite the fact that people age 65 and older have the highest rates of suicide of any age-group, late-life suicide has a low prevalence, making it difficult to conduct prospective studies. The authors examined risk factors for late-life suicide on the basis of general information collected directly from older subjects participating in a community-based prospective study of aging, the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Demographic variables, presence of a relative or friend to confide in, alcohol use, and sleep quality were assessed at baseline interview. Baseline and follow-up data were used to determine physical, cognitive, and affective functioning, as well as medical status. Of 14,456 people, 21 committed suicide over the 10-year observation period. Depressive symptoms, perceived health status, sleep quality, and absence of a relative or friend to confide in predicted late-life suicide. Suicide victims did not have greater alcohol use and did not report more medical illness or physical impairment. This study provided additional information about the context of late-life depression that also contributes to suicidal behavior: poor perceived health, poor sleep quality, and limited presence of a relative or friend to confide in.
尽管65岁及以上的人群自杀率在所有年龄组中最高，但老年自杀的发生率较低，这使得开展前瞻性研究变得困难。作者基于直接从参与一项基于社区的老年人前瞻性衰老研究（即老年人流行病学研究既定人群）的老年受试者收集的一般信息，对老年自杀的风险因素进行了研究。在基线访谈时评估了人口统计学变量、是否有可以倾诉的亲戚或朋友、饮酒情况以及睡眠质量。利用基线和随访数据来确定身体、认知和情感功能以及医疗状况。在14456人中，有21人在10年观察期内自杀。抑郁症状、感知健康状况、睡眠质量以及没有可以倾诉的亲戚或朋友可预测老年自杀。自杀受害者的饮酒量并不更高，也没有报告更多的疾病或身体损伤。这项研究提供了有关导致自杀行为的老年抑郁症背景的更多信息：感知健康状况差、睡眠质量差以及可以倾诉的亲戚或朋友较少。
