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Beliefs about antidepressants among persons aged 70 years and older in treatment after a suicide attempt

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2015

Eva Lesén ,
Stefan Wiktorsson ,
Anders Carlsten ,
Margda Waern  and
Tove Hedenrud
Eva Lesén
Affiliation:
Nordic Health Economics AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
Stefan Wiktorsson
Affiliation:
Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Anders Carlsten
Affiliation:
Medical Products Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
Margda Waern
Affiliation:
Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Tove Hedenrud*
Affiliation:
Dept. of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Tove Hedenrud, Dept. of Public Health and Community Medicine, P.O. Box 453, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Phone: +46-31-786 6855. Email: tove.hedenrud@gu.se.
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Abstract

Background:

The use of antidepressants is associated with decreased suicide risk in late life, and these drugs are often prescribed after a suicide attempt. Yet little is known about attitudes to antidepressants in older persons with suicidal behavior. The aim of this study was to assess beliefs about antidepressant medicines in older persons in treatment one year after a suicide attempt.

Methods:

Forty-four individuals aged 70 years and older, who were treated in emergency wards at five hospitals in western Sweden in connection with a suicide attempt, were interviewed at index attempt and one year later. Beliefs about medicines questionnaire (BMQ) specific for antidepressants were analyzed one year after index attempt, in relation to sociodemographic variables, medication use, psychiatric evaluation, and personality traits.

Results:

The majority of participants perceived the necessity of their antidepressant medicine to outweigh their concerns. Lower perceived necessity of antidepressants was observed in those who were not on antidepressants at the time of the attempt as well as those with no prior history of suicide attempt before the index attempt. Individuals reporting hopelessness at follow-up had a higher perceived concern about using medication.

Conclusions:

Beliefs about antidepressants tended to be more positive than negative in older persons taking these drugs in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Further studies are called for, and should include objective measures of medication adherence.

Keywords

beliefs about antidepressantssuicide attemptolder persons
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 11 , November 2015 , pp. 1795 - 1803
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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