The Epidemiology of Depression in an Elderly Community Population

Abstract

Over 1,300 community adults 60 years of age or older were screened for depressive symptomatology. Of the 27% reporting depressive symptoms, 19% were diagnosed as suffering mild dysphoria, 4% symptomatic depression, 2% dysthymia, 1.2% a mixed depressive and anxiety syndrome, and 0.8% major depression. The DSM-III major depressive group was more likely to report negative life events and poor social relations.