Do Cerebrovascular Risk Factors Confer Risk for Suicide in Later Life? A Case-Control Study

This study examined the role of cerebrovascular risk factors in late-life suicide. The authors calculated a cerebrovascular risk factor score for each case & comparison subject from a psychological autopsy study of suicide among community-dwelling adults over age 50 years. Scores were significantly higher in suicide cases than community-dwelling comparison subjects after accounting for age, gender, depression diagnosis, & functional status. Cerebrovascular disease may predispose to suicide in older adults by a variety of psychopathological means. (19 refs.) JA