BACKGROUND: In the past 15 years, antidepressant use in adults has increased, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. The question is if this is true for older adults as well. METHODS: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used to investigate trends in antidepressant use from 1992 through 2002 in a population-based sample aged 65-85 years. RESULTS: Antidepressant use increased from 2% to 6%. In the group with major depressive disorder, treatment with antidepressants showed an increase from 15% to 30%. This increase was larger in the older-old than in the younger old. Also, the increase was mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily TCA-dosages often were too low; dosages of the other antidepressants seemed to be sufficient. However, rates of depression remained stable, in the treated as well as in the untreated group. LIMITATIONS: Non-response was associated with depression, the indication for prescription of antidepressants was not known, and serum concentrations of antidepressants were not available. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressant use in older people increased over the past 15 years, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily dosages of antidepressants had become more adequate. Still only a minority of the more severely depressed used antidepressants.
BACKGROUND: In the past 15 years, antidepressant use in adults has increased, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. The question is if this is true for older adults as well. METHODS: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used to investigate trends in antidepressant use from 1992 through 2002 in a population-based sample aged 65-85 years. RESULTS: Antidepressant use increased from 2% to 6%. In the group with major depressive disorder, treatment with antidepressants showed an increase from 15% to 30%. This increase was larger in the older-old than in the younger old. Also, the increase was mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily TCA-dosages often were too low; dosages of the other antidepressants seemed to be sufficient. However, rates of depression remained stable, in the treated as well as in the untreated group. LIMITATIONS: Non-response was associated with depression, the indication for prescription of antidepressants was not known, and serum concentrations of antidepressants were not available. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressant use in older people increased over the past 15 years, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily dosages of antidepressants had become more adequate. Still only a minority of the more severely depressed used antidepressants.
Authors: Raymond Noordam; Nikkie Aarts; Katia M Verhamme; Miriam C M Sturkenboom; Bruno H Stricker; Loes E Visser Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2015-01-06 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: M Rondanelli; A Giacosa; A Opizzi; C Pelucchi; C La Vecchia; G Montorfano; M Negroni; B Berra; P Politi; A M Rizzo Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Sari Stenholm; Tamara B Harris; Taina Rantanen; Marjolein Visser; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 4.294
Authors: Katja Weckmann; Michael J Deery; Julie A Howard; Renata Feret; John M Asara; Frederik Dethloff; Michaela D Filiou; Jamie Iannace; Christiana Labermaier; Giuseppina Maccarrone; Christian Webhofer; Larysa Teplytska; Kathryn Lilley; Marianne B Müller; Christoph W Turck Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 4.379