Age-dependent epidemioloy of depression.

An analysis of epidemiological studies on depression in the elderly using a specific approach, which separated severe and mild forms of depressive disorders, and compared the results with the rates in younger age groups, has been undertaken. This did not provide a clear answer to the question of whether there is an increase in depressive disorders in the elderly. The prevalence of severe depressive disorders (endogenous depression) varied between 1 and 3.7% according to different epidemiological surveys. The incidence seemed to be about 1-2 patients per 1,000 population with a slight preponderance of females. Milder forms of depression, corresponding with DSM III diagnoses of dysphoria or dysthymic disorders, were found to have slightly higher prevalence rates. Results of research amongst the elderly on age-dependent increases in depression are conflicting. Some authors have reported a slight increase in both the prevalence and incidence of depression in the elderly, particularly in males, others have reported a decrease particularly in females. While the increase of suicides amongst the elderly, particularly in males has been documented this appears to be in conflict with the reported prevalence rates of depression in the elderly.