Suicide Risk in First Year After Dementia Diagnosis in Older Adults

Overview

Journal Alzheimers Dement

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2021 May 26

PMID 34036738

Citations 21

Authors

Timothy Schmutte

Mark Olfson

Donovan T Maust

Ming Xie

Steven C Marcus

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD) can be a pivotal and stressful period. We examined the risk of suicide in the first year after ADRD diagnosis relative to the general geriatric population.

Methods: We identified a national cohort of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years with newly diagnosed ADRD (n = 2,667,987) linked to the National Death Index.

Results: The suicide rate for the ADRD cohort was 26.42 per 100,000 person-years. The overall standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide was 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42, 1.65) with the highest risk among adults aged 65 to 74 years (SMR = 3.40, 95% CI = 2.94, 3.86) and the first 90 days after ADRD diagnosis. Rural residence and recent mental health, substance use, or chronic pain conditions were associated with increased suicide risk.

Discussion: Results highlight the importance of suicide risk screening and support at the time of newly diagnosed dementia, particularly for patients aged < 75 years.

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