Citation

Laly F, Toulouse O, Duveau JP, Veysseyre O, Soussy A. NPG Neurologie - Psychiatrie - Geriatrie 2009; 9(49): 23-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009)

DOI

10.1016/j.npg.2008.04.005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With approximately 12,000 deaths per year, suicide is the leading cause of unnatural death in France. Although the prevalence of suicide increases with age, suicide is seen as a major public health problem when the subject is young.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze cases of suicide investigated by an Île-de-France forensic medicine emergency unit among subjects aged 65 years or more.

METHOD: This retrospective analysis concerned 247 death examinations for suicide performed by a Val-de-Marne forensic medicine emergency unit from January 2002 to July 2005. Comparisons were made between subjects aged less than 65 years (n = 196) and subjects aged over 65 years (n = 51).

RESULTS: Based on practical modalities, presence or not of a prior attempt, and presence or not of an explanatory note left on the site of the act, comparisons showed that suicide was a determined act more predominantly among subjects aged over 65.

CONCLUSION: Little is known about suicide in the elderly in France. This population appears to present certain specific characteristics such as stronger determinism, but as highlighted by this study, the lack of serious investigation compromises better understanding of this subject. © 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Language: fr

Keywords

Suicide; Elderly; Forensic medicine