Diego De Leo1, Marirosa Dello Buono, Jonathan Dwyer. 1. Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University, 4111 Queensland, Australia. D.DeLeo@mailbox.gu.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous short-term work reported fewer suicides among elderly users of a telephone helpline and emergency response service (the TeleHelp-TeleCheck Service). AIMS: To examine long-term effects of the service on suicide in an elderly population of northern Italy. METHOD: The service provided twice-weekly support and needs assessment telephone calls and a 24h emergency alarm service. Data from 1988 to 1998 allowed comparison of 18 641 service users with a comparable general population group of the Veneto region in Italy. RESULTS: Significantly fewer suicide deaths (n(OBSERVED)=6) occurred among elderly service users (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 28.8%) than expected (n(EXPECTED)=20.86; chi(2)=10.58, d.f.=1, P<0.001) despite an assumed overrepresentation of persons at increased risk. The service performed well for elderly females (n(OBSERVED)=2, SMR=16.6%, n(EXPECTED)=12.03; chi(2)=8.36, d.f.=1, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the initial promise of the TeleHelp-TeleCheck service over a much longer time period. Further research will clarify the apparent lack of benefit for elderly males.
BACKGROUND: Previous short-term work reported fewer suicides among elderly users of a telephone helpline and emergency response service (the TeleHelp-TeleCheck Service). AIMS: To examine long-term effects of the service on suicide in an elderly population of northern Italy. METHOD: The service provided twice-weekly support and needs assessment telephone calls and a 24h emergency alarm service. Data from 1988 to 1998 allowed comparison of 18 641 service users with a comparable general population group of the Veneto region in Italy. RESULTS: Significantly fewer suicide deaths (n(OBSERVED)=6) occurred among elderly service users (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 28.8%) than expected (n(EXPECTED)=20.86; chi(2)=10.58, d.f.=1, P<0.001) despite an assumed overrepresentation of persons at increased risk. The service performed well for elderly females (n(OBSERVED)=2, SMR=16.6%, n(EXPECTED)=12.03; chi(2)=8.36, d.f.=1, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the initial promise of the TeleHelp-TeleCheck service over a much longer time period. Further research will clarify the apparent lack of benefit for elderly males.
Authors: Alexandra Fleischmann; José M Bertolote; Danuta Wasserman; Diego De Leo; Jafar Bolhari; Neury J Botega; Damani De Silva; Michael Phillips; Lakshmi Vijayakumar; Airi Värnik; Lourens Schlebusch; Huong Tran Thi Thanh Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Katrin E Harrison; Alexandre Y Dombrovski; Jennifer Q Morse; Patricia Houck; Maryann Schlernitzauer; Charles F Reynolds; Katalin Szanto Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2009-12-15 Impact factor: 3.878