Depressive Symptoms as a Predictor of 6-Month Outcomes and Services Utilization in Elderly Medical Inpatients

Abstract

Elderly medical inpatients with depressive symptoms were more likely than those without to be readmitted and had higher inpatient services utilization during the follow-up period, independent of functional and health status. These results emphasize the need for interventions directed at improving management of depressive symptoms, given the low recognition and treatment rates of this problem in elderly populations.