Citation

Bossé C, Preville M, Vasiliadis HM, Béland SG, Lapierre S. Can. J. Commun. Ment. Health 2011; 30(1): 1-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Wifrid Laurier University Press)

DOI

10.7870/cjcmh-2011-0001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Benzodiazepines have been associated with suicidal behaviour in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between the use of benzodiazepines and suicidal ideation or death thoughts in 2,494 community-dwelling older adults who took part in an interview. Multivariate analysis showed that suicidal ideation or death thoughts were significantly associated with long-term use and a high dose of benzodiazepines. Other contributing factors were the presence of psychological distress symptoms, daily hassles' level, chronic illnesses, and marital status. Physicians should pay attention to the potential for inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic drugs in the elderly with suicide-related risk factors.

Language: en

Keywords

elderly; suicidal ideation; benzodiazepines; idéations suicidaires; personnes ĝgées