Citation

Shah A. Int. Psychogeriatr. 2009; 21(6): 1190-1195.

Affiliation

Ageing, Ethnicity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K. and West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, U.K.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1041610209990378

PMID

19497140

Abstract

Background: The elderly are at high risk of developing tuberculosis. The prevalence and incidence of depression and anxiety are higher in those with tuberculosis than in the general population. A positive correlation between national suicide rates and rates of mortality due to tuberculosis has been reported.Methods: The relationships between elderly suicide rates and (i) the prevalence of tuberculosis, (ii) the proportion of detected cases of tuberculosis, and (iii) the proportion of cured cases of tuberculosis were examined in a cross-national study using data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations.Results: There were no significant correlations between elderly suicide rates and the prevalence of tuberculosis and the proportion of detected cases of tuberculosis. There were weak but significant negative correlations between the proportion of cured cases of tuberculosis and suicide rates for both sexes in both elderly age-bands.Conclusion: Caution should be exercised in interpreting the findings and the direction of the causal relationship from this cross-sectional ecological study because of ecological fallacy. However, if the findings are true then potentially the study has important implications for prevention of elderly suicides, particularly in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis.

Language: en