Suicide attempts by self-poisoning in elderly

Abstract

• BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health concern. This investigation assessed elderly patients treated for self-intoxication in a poisoning referral center.
• METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study was performed from the point of view of demographic, psychiatric and clinical factors related to the self-poisoning for suicide attempts in subjects aged over 65.
  RESULTS: The examined population consisted of 43 subjects including 30 males and 13 females with an age of 65 to 83 years (mean age = 72.5 years in male and 73.5 years in female). The majority of subjects were retired (35, 81.4%) and, in many cases lived with their family (39, 90.6%). 27.9% of subjects had been undergoing psychiatric treatment. Depressive disorders (reactive) and endogenic depression (affective) were recognized in 8 subjects (66.7%). 51% suffered from chronic diseases including hypertension (33.3%), coronary artery decease (30.4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15.9%) and diabetes (10.1%). Two cases had a history of previous suicidal attempt. The most frequently used substances in the attempts were medications (58%), opioids (23.2%), pesticide (11.6%) methanol (4.6%), hair remover (2.3%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.3 days.
• CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of depression and chronic diseases in elderly with suicidal attempt necessitates preventive interventions.
• KEYWORDS: Poisoning, Elderly, Suicide, Chronic Diseases