J Snowdon1. 1. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Rozelle Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. jsnowdon@mail.usyd.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of depression in old age and to review cross-age studies that reported age-related differences in prevalence. METHOD: Reports of studies that included data on the prevalence of depression in old age were reviewed, and conclusions from review articles were considered. RESULTS: Findings have been inconsistent, but majority opinion holds that depression (especially 'subsyndromal') is common in old age. There may be two peaks in the prevalence rate of major depression, one in late old age and the other in middle age or earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The allocation of health care resources should not be determined by survey findings concerning the prevalence of major depression and dysthymia.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of depression in old age and to review cross-age studies that reported age-related differences in prevalence. METHOD: Reports of studies that included data on the prevalence of depression in old age were reviewed, and conclusions from review articles were considered. RESULTS: Findings have been inconsistent, but majority opinion holds that depression (especially 'subsyndromal') is common in old age. There may be two peaks in the prevalence rate of major depression, one in late old age and the other in middle age or earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The allocation of health care resources should not be determined by survey findings concerning the prevalence of major depression and dysthymia.
Authors: Keith W Kelley; Jason C O'Connor; Marcus A Lawson; Robert Dantzer; Sandra L Rodriguez-Zas; Robert H McCusker Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2013-02-26 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: K M Scott; M Von Korff; J Alonso; M Angermeyer; E J Bromet; R Bruffaerts; G de Girolamo; R de Graaf; A Fernandez; O Gureje; Y He; R C Kessler; V Kovess; D Levinson; M E Medina-Mora; Z Mneimneh; M A Oakley Browne; J Posada-Villa; H Tachimori; D Williams Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2008-05-19 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Sabin S Egger; Alexandra E Rätz Bravo; Lorenzo Hess; Raymond G Schlienger; Stephan Krähenbühl Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2007 Impact factor: 3.923