Year: 2005 Source: American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, v.13, no.8, (August 2005), p.701-704 SIEC No: 20060105

This study investigated a large cohort of elderly Holocaust survivors, whether their World War II (WWII) experiences confer an increased risk of suicidal behaviour. All medical records of elderly patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Israel during a 5-year period were assessed. Suicidal patients were compared with patients who had not attempted suicide. Of 921 eligible patients, 374 were Holocaust survivors; 135 had attempted suicide, versus 45 of the 502 patients with no WWII experience. The risk of attempted suicide among Holocaust survivors was significantly higher. (LC) (24 refs)