Sleep deprived older adults are at greater risk of dying by committing suicide as compared to those who enjoy sound sleep, a new study conducted by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine revealed.

After a deep analysis of data compiled from 1999 to 2010, the researchers found that at least 18 among every 100,000 older adults die by committing suicide.

The researchers analyzed sleeping patterns related to 14,456 adults as the variable to determine disparity between those who committed suicide and those who died normally. They found that 1.4 per cent of those who were suffering sleeping disorders had a higher risk of committing suicide.

Lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Bernert, who is also the director of the Suicide Prevention Research Laboratory at Stanford, said that suicide was the result of multiple factors, including biological, psychological and social risk factors.

Commenting on the findings of the study, Bernert said, "Disturbed sleep stands apart as a risk factor and warning sign in that it may be undone, which highlights its importance as a screening tool and potential treatment target in suicide prevention."

Bernert stressed on the importance of healthy sleeping pattern as well as the need of early interventions to prevent older adults from committing suicide.

The findings of the research published in the most recent edition of JAMA Psychiatry.