Life-Time History of Suicide Attempts and Coronary Artery Disease in a Community-Dwelling Elderly Population

This study examined the relationship between coronary artery disease & life-time history of psychiatric disorder & suicidal behaviour in a representative sample of 1843 subjects over age 65. The prevalence of suicide attempts was 3.9%. A significant positive association was observed between life-time prevalence of coronary artery disease & suicide attempts. Suicide attempts were associated with major depression, comorbid anxiety, & depression but not anxiety alone. Logistic regression analysis showed the relationship between suicide attempts & coronary artery disease persists after adjustment for depression & anxiety. Longitudinal studies are required to clarify the direction of causality. (28 refs.)