Mikael Ludvigsson1, Anna Milberg2, Jan Marcusson3, Ewa Wressle3. 1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Department of Geriatrics, County Council of Östergötland, Sweden. mikael.ludvigsson@lio.se. 2. Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, LAH/Unit of Palliative Care, County Council of Östergötland, and Palliative Education and Research Centre in the County of Östergötland, Sweden. 3. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Department of Geriatrics, County Council of Östergötland, Sweden.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to make a qualitative comparison of experiences of being in very old people with subsyndromal depression (SSD), in relation to the experiences of very old people with syndromal depression or nondepression. Through investigation and deeper understanding of the interface between depressive disease and normal aging, clinicians might give more accurate prevention or treatment to those very old persons who need such help. DESIGN AND METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted for 27 individuals of 87-88 years of age, who were categorized in the 3 strata of nondepressive, SSD, and syndromal depression. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis within each stratum and later with a comparison between the strata. RESULTS: The content analysis resulted in 4 themes in people with SSD, as defined by a self-report depression screening instrument, giving a comprehensive picture of SSD in very old people, and also showed qualitative differences between the SSD, syndromal depression, and nondepressive groups. A main finding was that SSD differs qualitatively from syndromal depression but not clearly from nondepression. IMPLICATIONS: The results might indicate that SSD in very old people is not related to pathology but to normal aging, even though the condition correlates with negative health parameters. Overlooking certain psychosocial aspects of living in the very old may pose a risk of both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis in the spectrum of depressive disorders.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to make a qualitative comparison of experiences of being in very old people with subsyndromal depression (SSD), in relation to the experiences of very old people with syndromal depression or nondepression. Through investigation and deeper understanding of the interface between depressive disease and normal aging, clinicians might give more accurate prevention or treatment to those very old persons who need such help. DESIGN AND METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted for 27 individuals of 87-88 years of age, who were categorized in the 3 strata of nondepressive, SSD, and syndromal depression. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis within each stratum and later with a comparison between the strata. RESULTS: The content analysis resulted in 4 themes in people with SSD, as defined by a self-report depression screening instrument, giving a comprehensive picture of SSD in very old people, and also showed qualitative differences between the SSD, syndromal depression, and nondepressive groups. A main finding was that SSD differs qualitatively from syndromal depression but not clearly from nondepression. IMPLICATIONS: The results might indicate that SSD in very old people is not related to pathology but to normal aging, even though the condition correlates with negative health parameters. Overlooking certain psychosocial aspects of living in the very old may pose a risk of both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis in the spectrum of depressive disorders.
Authors: Kimberly A Van Orden; Alisa A O'Riley; Adam Simning; Carol Podgorski; Thomas M Richardson; Yeates Conwell Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2014-04-08
Authors: Anna Pink; Scott A Przybelski; Janina Krell-Roesch; Gorazd B Stokin; Rosebud O Roberts; Michelle M Mielke; David S Knopman; Clifford R Jack; Ronald C Petersen; Yonas E Geda Journal: J Alzheimers Dis Date: 2017 Impact factor: 4.472
Authors: Nancy J Donovan; David C Hsu; Alexander S Dagley; Aaron P Schultz; Rebecca E Amariglio; Elizabeth C Mormino; Olivia I Okereke; Dorene M Rentz; Keith A Johnson; Reisa A Sperling; Gad A Marshall Journal: J Alzheimers Dis Date: 2015 Impact factor: 4.472