Central Nervous System
28
Depression and Suicide Background
Depression is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders in old age. Yet, it is frequently unrecognized. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of depressive disorders in elderly is 9.7%, compared to 8.4% in adults aged 18-65 years old. Depression is a known risk factor of suicide, and suicide risk increases with age. The suicide rate in the general population of Hong Kong is around 10 to 13 per 100 000, whereas the rate in the age group of 65 and above is around 30 per 100 000, and in the age group of 75 or above is 50 per 100 000. The ratio of the male to the female suicide rate in the elderly is 1.3 to 1. Compared to other countries, the elderly suicide rate in Hong Kong is relatively high.
