EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SUICIDE IN ELDERLY PEOPLE IN MADRID, SPAIN (1990-1994)

The progressive aging of the population as a whole, the frequent appea rance of degenerative diseases, and the greater frequency of suicide a mong persons alder than 65 years than in younger age groups, are worri some issues that deserve investigation. The aim of this study was ther efore to analyze different epidemiological and social factors that inf luence suicide behaviour in elderly subjects in Madrid (Spain) during a 5-year period from January 1990 to December 1994. Post-mortem report s on all deaths that were examined at the Institute of Forensic Medici ne in Madrid were studied. All cases of suicide in subjects aged great er than or equal to 65 years during these years (N=461) were studied t hrough the autopsy records and information from the coroner's inquest. Variables corresponding to demographic, clinical and interpersonal fa ctors, method of suicide, scene of death, season, month and time of su icide were registered. In both sexes, jumping from a height was the mo st frequent method (63.6%). Family members had noted symptoms of depre ssion in almost half of the cases (49.5%). Coexisting physical disorde rs were present in 68.9% of the subjects. Health care professionals ha ve an important role to play in suicide prevention. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.