Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2009 Dec;21(6):470-4. doi: 10.1007/BF03327440.
Suicide in later life stages is of growing concern as the life expectancy of Western populations is rising. Therefore, a population- based study concerning elderly suicide was undertaken.
The study included 1008 suicides in Middle Franconia (Bavaria/Germany) between 2004 and 2007. Data was analyzed regarding gender, method chosen, initiating motive and chronobiological factors at the time of death.
Higher rates of suicides were observed in the population at risk over 65 years old, in both sexes (age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants for men: 42.52; 95% CI 8.64- 37.47; for women: 8.64; 95% CI 6.81-10.96). There were significant differences regarding the method chosen (chi2=21.3; df=6; p=0.002) and the underlying motive, "mental/physical illness", was the predominant stressor (chi2=73.0; df=6; p<0.001).
Suicide in the elderly population differs significantly from that in younger people. Understanding of this phenomenon must be further elucidated, since suicide is difficult to prevent, and its risk is expected to increase still further among the elderly.
随着西方人口预期寿命的延长，晚年阶段的自杀问题越来越受到关注。因此，我们进行了一项针对老年人自杀的基于人群的研究。
该研究纳入了 2004 年至 2007 年期间在巴伐利亚州中弗兰肯地区发生的 1008 例自杀事件。对数据进行了分析，包括性别、选择的方法、自杀的起始动机以及死亡时的昼夜节律因素。
在 65 岁以上的高危人群中，男女的自杀率均较高（年龄调整后的每 10 万人自杀率，男性：42.52；95%CI 8.64-37.47；女性：8.64；95%CI 6.81-10.96）。在选择的方法方面存在显著差异（卡方检验=21.3；自由度=6；p=0.002），“精神/身体疾病”是主要的应激源（卡方检验=73.0；自由度=6；p<0.001）。
老年人的自杀与年轻人明显不同。由于自杀难以预防，并且预期老年人的自杀风险还会进一步增加，因此必须进一步阐明对这一现象的理解。
