Dennis M S, Lindesay J
Division of Psychiatry for the Elderly, Leicester General Hospital, United Kingdom.
Int Psychogeriatr. 1995 Summer;7(2):263-74. doi: 10.1017/s104161029500202x.
This article reviews British government policies regarding the reduction of elderly suicide. Epidemiologic trends in elderly suicide indicate males aged 75 and older have the highest rates, with frequent methods being hanging and overdose. In contrast, rates among elderly who have immigrated from the Indian subcontinent in the past 10 to 30 years are significantly lower. Characteristics of elderly suicides and deliberate self-harm in the United Kingdom suggest that depression, social isolation and loss, and physical illness all are risk factors. Because most elderly suicides have contact with a primary healthcare provider in the month prior to the suicide, an effort to educate general practitioners and psychiatrists about treatable depression in the elderly is being made. Other policies also are being implemented: reduction of means of suicide, better linkage among services for the elderly for enhanced appropriate care, and clinical audits of suicide. Research associated with these policy efforts may further elucidate clinically relevant risk factors.
本文回顾了英国政府关于减少老年人自杀的政策。老年人自杀的流行病学趋势表明，75岁及以上的男性自杀率最高，常见方式为上吊和过量服药。相比之下，过去10至30年从印度次大陆移民过来的老年人自杀率则显著较低。英国老年人自杀和故意自伤的特征表明，抑郁、社会孤立与丧失以及身体疾病都是风险因素。由于大多数老年自杀者在自杀前一个月内曾与初级医疗保健提供者接触，因此正在努力对全科医生和精神科医生进行培训，使其了解老年人中可治疗的抑郁症。其他政策也在实施：减少自杀手段，加强老年服务之间的联系以提供更好的适当护理，以及对自杀情况进行临床审计。与这些政策措施相关的研究可能会进一步阐明临床相关的风险因素。
