Factors Associated With Suicidal Ideation in an Elderly Urban Japanese Population: a Community-Based, Cross-Sectional Study

This study evaluated the association between suicide ideation & potentially related factors in an elderly urban Japanese population. This was a community-based, cross-sectional study. Of the 1145 eligible participants, 52 reported suicide ideation. Of 143 subjects with depressive symptoms, 22 reported suicide ideation over a 2-week period. After controlling for depressive symptoms, lack of social support & impaired daily activities were significantly associated with suicide ideation. Mental disorders, including depressive & alcohol-related disorders, were significantly associated with suicide ideation over a 2-week period in subjects with depressive symptoms. (38 refs.)