SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION

This study examined the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and associated factors in an elderly population. Data for 969 elderly subjects from a population-based study were used, and examinations by physicians, in cluding psychiatric examination and informants' interview, were assess ed. In total, 13.3% of the subjects had had suicidal thoughts during t he last 2 weeks (10.8% fleetingly and 2.5% frequently). Of those who h ad had fleeting suicidal thoughts, 26.7% also had major depression, wh ile 50% of those who had frequent suicidal thoughts were depressed. In addition, suicidal thoughts were associated with increased disability in daily Living, institutionalization, visual problems and the use of psychotropic drugs. It is concluded that a careful psychiatric assess ment is necessary when suicidal thoughts are expressed by an elderly p erson.