Suicide among elderly: a systematic review

Abstract

This article aimed to perform a systematic review of suicide among the elderly. The literature review was conducted using three databases (SCOPUS, Medline/Pubmed and ISI Web of Science) using the terms suicide and elderly, suicide and older adult and suicide attempt. The publication dates were restricted between 2008 and 2013. Review or theoretical articles were excluded; only epidemiologic studies were selected. A total of 1613 references were found, but only seven met the inclusion criteria, namely articles that assessed the prevalence of suicide in elderly through retrospective cohort studies. The average study period was 7.9 years. The following average annual suicide rates were calculated: Italy (173/cases-year), New York (118.1/cases-year and 51 cases/ year – two studies), Ireland (92/cases-year), Finland (12.9/cases-year), Turkey (3.5/cases-year) and England (3/cases-year). All of the studies reported that elderly males had a higher rate of death by suicide compared to elderly females. Hanging, shooting by firearms, drowning and jumping from high places were prevalent suicide methods. Three articles reported that death by suicide was associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders, psychoactive substance use, and physical illnesses, as well as economic and emotional reasons. This review determined that the topic of suicide among the elderly is rarely discussed and that little is known about influences, causes, or prevalence of suicide among the elderly. Moreover, neither the type of health monitoring nor the medications that are used as interventions for eventual suicide victims are commonly reported in elderly populations.