Are Sedatives and Hypnotics Associated With Increased Suicide Risk of Suicide in the Elderly?

This case-control study determined whether specific types of psychoactive drugs wre associated with suicide risk in late life, after controlling for appropriate indications. The study area included the city of Gothenburg, Sweden & 2 adjacent counties. A case controlled study of elderly suicides was performed & close informants for 85 cases were interviewed by a psychiatrist. A population based comparison group of 153 subjects was interviewed face-to-fce. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, & hypnotics were associated with increased suicide risk in the crude analysis. Sedatives & hypnotics were both associated with increased risk for suicide after adjustment. (31 refs.)