Citation

Gheshlaghi F, Jafar Salehi M. J. Res. Med. Sci. 2012; 17(Suppl 2): S272-S275.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health concern. This investigation assessed elderly patients treated for self-intoxication in a poisoning referral center.

METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study was performed from the point of view of demographic, psychiatric and clinical factors related to the self-poisoning for suicide attempts in subjects aged over 65 years.

RESULTS: The examined population consisted of 43 subjects including 30 males and 13 females with an age of 65 to 83 years (mean age = 72.5 years in males and 73.5 years in females). The majority of subjects were retired [35(81.4%)] and, many cases lived with their family [39(90.6%)]. 27.9% of subjects had been undergoing psychiatric treatment. Depressive disorders (reactive) and endogenic depression (affective) were recognized in 8 subjects (66.7%). 51% suffered from chronic diseases including hypertension (33.3%), coronary artery decease (30.4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15.9%) and diabetes (10.1%). Two cases had a history of previous suicidal attempt. The most frequently used substances in the attempts were medications (58%), opioids (23.2%), pesticide (11.6%) methanol (4.6%) and hair remover (2.3%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.3 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of depression and chronic diseases in elderly with suicidal attempt necessitates preventive interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; Suicide; female; male; Poisoning; aged; quality of life; Elderly; depression; methanol; hospitalization; drug abuse; article; retrospective study; clinical article; self poisoning; opiate; pesticide; psychiatric treatment; coronary artery disease; hypertension; diabetes mellitus; chronic obstructive lung disease; Chronic diseases; prescription drug