Differnences in Suicidal idea and Behavior According to Cognitive Function in the Elderly People

초록

Face-to-face household survey was conducted in five different regions of Korea from June 2008 to August 2008. There were 3,074 subjects, aged more than 65. Number of respondents was 2007 people. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Korean version of the CERAD Neuropsychological Assessment Battery. The participants are categorized into the normal group, dementia group and MCI group and the suicidal idea and behavior were compared. The data was adjusted according to the age, sex, educational background, alcohol consumption, smoking history and GDS. Results: 2007 subjects were analyzed: 1552 were classified as normal aging group, 391 as MCI, and 64 as dementia. Comparing between the normal and dementia groups, the rate of suicidal idea of the dementia group was 4.8 %, which was lower than the normal group’s 14.8% (OR 0.28, p < 0.001). It was still lower when adjusted by the age, sex, educational background, alcohol nsumption, smoking history and GDS (OR 0.33, p=0.001). However, comparing between the normal and MCI group, the rate of suicidal idea MCI group 19.4%, normal group 14.8%, OR 1.38, p<0.001) and behavior (MCI group 12.0%, normal group 8.9%, OR 1.41, p<0.001) was statistically significantly higher in the MCI group. After the adjustment, both suicidal idea and behavior were higher in the MCI group. Conclusion: In this research, there is a significant difference of suicidal idea and behavior depending on theimpairment of cognitive function. More aggressive psychiatric intervention for suicidal attempts is necessary for the MCI group considering the fact that the mildly cognitive impaired patients shows the higher frequency of both suicidal idea and behavior compared to the normal group.