Citation

Dombrovski AY, Szanto K, Houck PR, Butters M, Reynolds CF. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 69.

Affiliation

University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O'Hara Street, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, US. dombrovskia@upmc.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963969

Abstract

Objective: To characterize cognitive and physical impairments in suicidal elderly. Method: These preliminary data were originated from a longitudinal study of late-life suicide. We recruited inpatients aged 60 and older with suicidal ideation within a month of admission or during hospitalization or suicide attempt within 2 months of admission. We assessed global cognitive function with the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and executive function, with the Executive Interview (EXIT) and the MDRS initiation-perseveration subscale. We used the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale adapted for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) to measure the burden of physical illness. Results: Forty-five participants were recruited, 22 (49%) of them male, aged 60 to 91 years (mean 71.8). Cognitive testing results were available for 34 participants -- MMSE (range, mean [SD]): 21-30, 26.8 (2.8); MDRS: 91-143, 127.9 (11.7); EXIT: 2-31, 12.9 (6.3); MDRS initiation-perseveration subscale: 23-37, 33.2 (4.4). Medical burden was assessed in 41 participants, CIRS-G (range, mean [SD]): 3-20, 10.0 (4.7). Conclusions: Suicidal elderly inpatients suffer from a significant cognitive impairment and a moderate burden of physical illness. We plan comparisons with age-, gender-, and education-equated non-suicidal depressed and healthy controls.

Language: en