Abstract
Suicidal Ideation in Acutely Medically ill Elderly Inpatients: Prevalence, Correlates and Longitudinal Stability
Shah A~~Hoxey K~~Mayadunne V
This prospective study measured the prevalence, correlates, & longitudinal stability of suicidal ideation in acutely medically ill elderly patients. The prevalence of suicidal ideation on the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation & the Brief Assessment Schedule items of pessimism, life not worth living, & a wish to die were 36%, 60%, 33%, & 22% respectively. These 4 variables were significantly inter-correlated. Further studies examining the longitudinal stability of suicidal ideation coupled with intervention studies to reduce suicidal ideation are required. (38 refs.)