Methods of Suicide in the Elderly
Author Information
Author(s): Ajit Shah, Laura Buckley
Primary Institution: Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Hypothesis
What are the current methods of suicide used by older people in England and Wales?
Conclusion
Different strategies are needed to reduce access to suicide methods for various age and sex groups among the elderly.
Supporting Evidence
- Hanging, strangulation, and suffocation were the most common methods of suicide in older men.
- Older women commonly used other and unspecified drugs for suicide.
- Significant differences in suicide methods were found between older men and women.
- Suicide rates in older people have declined in recent years.
Takeaway
Older people use different methods to commit suicide, and understanding these can help prevent it better.
Methodology
The study analyzed national mortality data from 2001 to 2007 using ICD-10 codes for suicides and open verdicts.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of true suicides under open verdicts.
Limitations
National aggregate data may miss regional variations in suicide rates, and some deaths with an open verdict may not have been suicides.
Participant Demographics
Older people in England and Wales, with data segmented by age and sex.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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