Models of suicide in elderly: a protocol for a systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionThe rates of suicide in the elderly population are generally higher than other age groups. Models of suicide that explain the phenomenon of suicide in later life may have research, clinical and educational implications for the field of ageing. The primary purpose of this systematic review is to identify and review existing models of suicide that have a particular focus on the elderly.Methods and analysisThe authors intend reviewing the findings of observational studies including cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case–control studies, and qualitative studies such as grounded theory designs which are published in Google Scholar, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and research-related journals. Models of suicide which specifically describe, explain and predict late life suicides will be included. Therapeutic, interventional and rehabilitation models, as well as models related to assisted suicide, will be excluded. The EndNote software will be employed for data management. Two independent reviewers will extract data. Methodological quality and the risk of bias of quantitative studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies, while that of qualitative studies will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and the evaluative criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The final report will present a range of models of suicide with a list of different subgroups.Ethics and publicationThere are no predictable ethical issues related to this study. The findings will be published in prestigious journals and presented at international and national conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017070982.

Development of a Suicide Prediction Model for the Elderly Using Health Screening Data

“…In previous studies [ 8 , 9 ], suicide prevention interventions in the elderly population were found to reduce suicidal thoughts and suicide rates. For this reason, interest in the elderly suicide model has increased, including the development of protocols for models that describe and predict suicide in the elderly [ 10 ]. Thus, one of the common methods is to use a measurement tool.…”

Drugs increase the risk of suicide in the elderly

“…[2]. Suicides among the elderly may be more frequent than in other age groups, and for example in Korea these rates are up to three times higher [3,4]. The reasons that lead the elderly to attempt suicide may be related to aging stressors, such as deteriorating health or problems with adapting to the aging process [5].…”

“…The reasons that lead the elderly to attempt suicide may be related to aging stressors, such as deteriorating health or problems with adapting to the aging process [5]. One of the most important risk factors for suicide are mental diseases, especially depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder [4,6]. Multi-disease patients are particularly prone to depression due to a reduced standard of living and the use of drugs that can cause depression symptoms such as B-blockers, digitalis glycosides, NSAIDs, opioids, ACEI, Calcium Channel Blockers, Corticosteroids, diuretics, Levodopa, benzodiazepines and others [7,8].…”

Double Suicide Due to the Ingestion of Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Other risk factors are a family history of suicide, previous suicide attempts, isolation, loss, physical illnesses, and easy access to lethal methods. The risk of suicide increases with age in almost all countries, and suicide rates reach 48.7/ 100 000 for older Caucasian men in the United States and 140/100 000 for older men in rural China (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Older adults may be more prone to self-harming behavior because of the higher prevalence and coexistence of many social and clinical factors: financial issues, social isolation, bereavement, dependence, physical and mental illnesses, and so on (11).…”