The British Journal of Psychiatry · 2005 · 79 citations · 18 references
MedicineGeriatric MedicinePsychiatryGeriatric PsychiatryGeriatricsGerontologyAffective Disorders In Older AdultsComprehensive Geriatric AssessmentDepressionDepression AssessmentDepressive DisordersPsychiatric EpidemiologyAging-related DepressionAnnual IncidenceCourse Of Late-life DepressionDaily Functioning DeclineDepressive Symptom AssessmentGeriatric Psychiatric EpidemiologyPersistent Depressive SymptomsPrognosis Of Late-life Depression
BACKGROUND: Despite its negative consequences, little is known about the natural history of depression in the oldest old. AIMS: To study the incidence, course and predictors of depression in the general population of the oldest old. METHOD: The Leiden 85-plus Study is a prospective population-based study of 500 people from their 85th to their 89th birthdays. Depressive symptoms were annually assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, using a cut-off of 4 points. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 3.9 years, the annual risk for the emergence of depression was 6.8%. Poor daily functioning and institutionalisation predicted depression. Among the 77 participants with depression at baseline (prevalence 15%) the annual remission rate was ony 14%. In more than half of the participants with a remission of depression, we observed a relapse of depression during follow-up. No predictors of remission could be identified. CONCLUSIONS: Among the oldest old, depression is frequent and highly persistent. More active case-finding and treatment would be potentially rewarding.
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Marshal F. Folstein, Susan E. Folstein, Paul R. McHugh · Journal of Psychiatric Research · 1975 · 86.9K citations
P. D’Ath, Philippa Katona, Eleanor Mullan et al. · Family Practice · 1994 · 631 citations
The Natural History of Late-Life Depression
Aartjan T.F. Beekman, Sandra W. Geerlings, Dorly J. H. Deeg et al. · Archives of General Psychiatry · 2002 · 447 citations · Full text