Attempted and Completed Suicide in Older Subjects: Results From the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study of Suicidal Behaviour

The authors present an analysis of findings for the 65+ age group from the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study of Suicidal Behaviour (1989-1993). Stockholm, Pontoise (France), & Oxford had the highest suicide attempt rates. In most centres, the majority of the elderly who attempted suicide were widow(er)s, often living alone, who predominantly used voluntary drug ingestion. Non-fatal suicidal behaviour decreased with increasing age, whereas suicide rates rose. As their age increased, suicidal subjects displayed only a limited tendency to repeat self-destructive acts. There was little correlation between attempted suicide & suicide rates which carries different clinical implications for non-fatal suicidal behaviour in the elderly compared with younger subjects in the same study. (19 refs.)