AIMS: The aim of the study was to follow the natural course of late-life depressive symptoms within a German population-based study. METHODS: Within the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA 75+), a representative sample of 1265 individuals aged 75 years and older were interviewed every 1.5 years over 8 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D, German-specific cut-off score ≥23). RESULTS: The incidence of depressive symptoms was 34 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 31-37). In a multivariate regression model, female gender, poor self-rated health status, stroke, risky alcohol consumption, a poor social network, higher number of specialist visits, functional impairment, and CES-D score at baseline were significant risk factors of future depressive symptoms. We observed remission in 60%, an intermittent course in 17% and a chronic course in 23% of the participants. No baseline characteristic distinguished the remission group from the persistently depressed. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms in late life are common and highly persistent. In the present study encountered risk factors entailed potentialities for secondary prevention.
AIMS: The aim of the study was to follow the natural course of late-life depressive symptoms within a German population-based study. METHODS: Within the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA 75+), a representative sample of 1265 individuals aged 75 years and older were interviewed every 1.5 years over 8 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D, German-specific cut-off score ≥23). RESULTS: The incidence of depressive symptoms was 34 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 31-37). In a multivariate regression model, female gender, poor self-rated health status, stroke, risky alcohol consumption, a poor social network, higher number of specialist visits, functional impairment, and CES-D score at baseline were significant risk factors of future depressive symptoms. We observed remission in 60%, an intermittent course in 17% and a chronic course in 23% of the participants. No baseline characteristic distinguished the remission group from the persistently depressed. CONCLUSION:Depressive symptoms in late life are common and highly persistent. In the present study encountered risk factors entailed potentialities for secondary prevention.
Authors: Katherine L Musliner; Peter P Zandi; Xiaoqin Liu; Thomas M Laursen; Trine Munk-Olsen; Preben B Mortensen; William W Eaton Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2017-07-12 Impact factor: 4.105
Authors: Myrthe C Bruin; Hannie C Comijs; Rob M Kok; Roos C Van der Mast; Julia F Van den Berg Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2018-04-24 Impact factor: 3.485