Citation

Wiktorsson S, Waern M. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 67.

Affiliation

Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, sekt of Psychiatry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bla Straket 15, SU/Sahlgrenska, 41345 Gotenborg, Sweden. stefan.wiktorsson@neuro.gu.se.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963965

Abstract

Aims: There is some evidence that serious physical illness is a stronger predictor of suicide in men than in women. The aim was to examine physical health in elderly suicide attempters and to test for gender differences. Methods: Suicide attempters aged 70+ (n=88, mean age 80 (range 70-91), 47 women and 41 men) at hospitals in western Sweden took part in an interview. Physical illness burden was rated with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G). A person was considered to have a serious physical condition if a score of 3 or 4 was noted in any organ category. High overall physical illness burden was defined as a CIRS-G sum >10. Results: While there was no significant difference in proportions with serious physical illness (63% of the men and 60% of the women), mean total illness burden was significantly greater in men (10.5 vs. 8.7 in women). Almost half of the men (46%) had a high overall illness burden. This was significantly higher than the proportion in women (26%). Conclusions: Physical illness is prevalent in elderly suicide attempters. Our preliminary findings suggest a gender difference concerning physical illness burden.

Language: en