Psychiatry Investig.
2020 May;17(5):481-486. 10.30773/pi.2019.0299.
Clinical Usefulness of the Geriatric Depression Scale to Identify the Elderly at Risk of Suicide
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 2Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
- KMID: 2501468
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0299
Abstract
Objective
Population-based suicidal screening can be an important intervention method to reduce suicidal attempt rate in community. However, directly asking about suicidal behavior may be burdensome to non-mental health workers. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) in identifying the elderly at risk of suicide in community.
Methods
Nine hundred forty-eight over 60 years of age participated in this study. All participants completed the GDS-15. A trained interviewer interviewed each participant for suicidality including suicidal ideation, plan, and prior attempt using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.
Results
When the cut-off score of 10 in the GDS-15 was applied to identify the elderly at risk of suicide, the proportion of directly asking about suicidal behavior by non-mental health workers was reduced by 33.1%; however, 19.5% at risk of suicide were missed. When the cut-off was changed to 6, 100% at risk of suicide were covered by the GDS-15.
Conclusion
Screening for suicidality using GDS-15 is a promising way to reduce the proportion of directly asking about suicidal behavior by non-mental health workers among the high-risk suicidal elderly in a community setting.
