Suicide in Elderly: A Study in South Delhi (1996-2005)

Forty three autopsy cases of elder suicide received from South Delhi were studied during the 10-year period from Jan 1996 to Dec 2005 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Cases included those with victims greater than or equal to 60 years of age. Data was analyzed with regard to the age, sex, methods of suicide, place of suicide, cause of suicide and time of year components. There were 26 male (60.46%) and 17 female (39.54%) victims. The age range of the suicide victims was 60 to 87 years with mean age of 67.77 years. Commonest age group involved was 60- 69 years (n=28, 65.12%) in both sexes with 5 victims of the age of 80 years or older. Hanging (n=24, 55.81%), followed by poisoning (n=15, 34.88%) were the two major methods of suicide. Maximum numbers of suicides were seen in the Rainy season (41.86%). In two cases a suicide note was found.