Factors associated with risk of suicide in late life depression

Abstract

Objective  To examine the influence of cognitive function on suicidal ideation among patients with late life depression (LLD). Methods  Between January 2021 and December 2022,we enrolled 103 LLD patients from Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University. These patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of suicidal ideation (encompassing suicidal thoughts and attempted suicidality) in the past two weeks: those without suicidal ideation (n=37) and those with suicidal ideation (n=66). We collected general demographic data and assessed cognitive functions using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The study employed Logistic regression to determine significant factors.  Results  There were statistically significant differences in RBANS total score,immediate memory, and vocabulary learning between suicidal ideation and without suicidal ideation groups ［RBANS total score (137.26±28.78) vs (150.00±25.53),immediate memory (22.39±7.47) vs (26.41±6.74),vocabulary learning (16.02±4.59) vs (18.43±4.18),all P<0.05］; The logistic regression analysis indicated that the score of vocabulary learning(OR=0.012,P=0.012) and the first onset age(OR=1.036,P=0.024) served as a risk factors against suicidal ideation among LLD patients. Conclusion  The lower the vocabulary learning score and the older the age of the first onset suggested that the LLD patient may be at higher risk of suicide, which may be used as an early indicator to identify suicide risk.

Keywords

 late-life depression / suicidal Ideation / age / cognition