Analysis of Characteristics, Methods of Suicide, and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Suicide Attempters in South Korea by Age Subgroup

Abstract

Introduction: As the elderly comprise 14.3% of the South Korean population, suicide among the elderly has become a significant public concern. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from the Emergency Department-Based Injury In-depth Surveillance nationwide of South Korea. Patients aged ≥ 65years old who intentionally caused self-injury were included. These elderly patients were subdivided into age groups, and their associated characteristics and correlation between suicide attempt methods and the clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 5,333 cases were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 75.1 years old, comprising 3,039 males (57.0%) and 2,294 females (43.0%). Substance exposure was the most frequent method across all age groups. In terms of risk factors of admission, drowning, hanging, and asphyxia showed the following results: OR 2.372 for the first group; OR 2.224 for the second group; and OR 5.606 for the third group. Fall/slip was identified as a risk factor of admission in the first and second groups (OR 5.016 for the first group; OR 5.101 for the second group). In terms of risk factors of mortality, drowning, hanging, and asphyxia showed the following results: OR 9.066 for the first group; OR 7.320 for the second group; and OR 7.135 for the third group. With regard to fall/slip, the results were OR 14.596 for the first group; OR 10.096 for the second group; and OR 24.167 for the third group. Conclusions: This study showed that clinical outcomes were different according to the suicide-related characteristics and chosen suicide method. Based on these results, it is necessary to prepare measures to prevent suicide of the elderly in the future.