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.
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.
Authors: Pauline Boeckxstaens; Bert Vaes; An De Sutter; Isabelle Aujoulat; Gijs van Pottelbergh; Catharina Matheï; Jean-Marie Degryse Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2016-07 Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Jeannie-Marie S Leoutsakos; Elizabeth A Wise; Constantine G Lyketsos; Gwenn S Smith Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2019-09-02 Impact factor: 3.485
Authors: Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri; Eric Vittinghoff; Amy Byers; Ken Covinsky; Dan Blazer; Susan Diem; Kristine E Ensrud; Kristine Yaffe Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2013-10-04 Impact factor: 6.053