Selvmord hos aeldre i Århus Amt i perioden 1993-2000. Et deskriptivt studium
Sammanfattning
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the suicide rate and to analyse possible risk factors of suicide among people over 65 years of age in the county of Aarhus during the period 1993-2000. The results are compared to the results of a similar investigation in the same county during the period 1982-1992. Materials and methods: A total of 176 deaths were registered as suicide and the following parameters were obtained for each case from death certificates and police reports: age, sex, physical and mental health, method of suicide, presence or absence of suicide note, and stock of medicine. Results: Of the 176 suicides, 108 occurred in males and 68 in females. The suicide rate for the elderly decreased from 37 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1993 to 26 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000. The rate was higher in males. Approximately 75% of the males and 59% of the females used traumatic methods. 38% of the females and 13% of the males used drug overdose. Approximately 75% were registered as having a physical illness, and approximately 58% of the males and 72% of the females suffered from mental illness. Only 9% were registered as being physically and mentally healthy. 19% had previously attempted suicide. In 35% of the cases, suicide notes were left, in which 47% gave illness or pain as the reason for suicide and 36% gave powerlessness as the reason. Discussion: In comparison with the previous study in the same county, the suicide rate observed in this study was lower both for men and women and is still decreasing. Our observation that serious mental and physical illness, often accompanied by pain, is an important risk factor for suicide supports the findings of studies in other countries. In order to prevent suicide in the elderly, it seems important to diagnose and treat a premorbid depressive state where one exists. It is the authors' hope that the decrease in the suicide rate will continue and that adequate pain treatment and terminal care will prevent loneliness and suicide.