Factors associated with a high level of suicide risk among patients with late-life depression: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Guangzhou China

Abstract

Background As global aging accelerates, depression in the elderly becomes more common. Research had revealed that patients with late-life depression face an increased risk of suicide compared to those in other age groups with similar disorders, with the pathway to suicide being multifaceted. Thus, investigating the various factors linked to the elevated risk of suicide in elderly individuals with depression is critical. Objective To investigate the factors associated with a high level of suicide risk among patients with late-life depression (LLD). Methods A total of 108 patients with LLD were recruited for this study. From October 2022 to November 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with LLD from the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Suicide risk was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Nurses' Global Assessment of Suicide Risk Scale (NGASR). Potential influencing factors were included and analyzed through multivariate linear regression to identify the factors associated with high level of suicide risk among patients with LLD. Results The average score of NGASR in patients with LLD was 7.30±4.34 (range: 0~19). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that depression-anxiety of BPRS (β=0.31, 95%CI=0.13, 0.45, P＜0.001), activation of BPRS (β=-0.29, 95%CI=-1.22, -0.35, P＜0.001), normal cognitive function of MMSE (β=0.21, 95%CI=0.50, 3.48, P＜0.05), involuntary admission (β=0.20, 95%CI=0.44, 3.43, P＜0.05), and objective support of SSRS (β=0.21, 95%CI=0.08, 0.66, P＜0.05) were statistically associated with the a high level of suicide risk in patients with LLD (P<0.05). Conclusion This study found that LLD patients with severe depression-anxiety, low activation, normal cognitive function, involuntary admission, and strong objective support exhibited a high level of suicide risk. These patients should receive intensified monitoring and comprehensive measures should be implemented to prevent the occurrence of suicidal behaviors during hospitalization.