TY - JOUR
T1 - Natural history of depression in the oldest old
T2 - Population-based prospective study
AU - Stek, Max L.
AU - Vinkers, David J.
AU - Gussekloo, Jacobijn
AU - Van Der Mast, Roos C.
AU - Beekman, Aartjan T.F.
AU - Westendorp, Rudi G.J.
PY - 2006/1
Y1 - 2006/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=29644432364&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.188.1.65
DO - https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.188.1.65
M3 - Article
C2 - 16388072
SN - 0007-1250
VL - 188
SP - 65
EP - 69
JO - British journal of psychiatry
JF - British journal of psychiatry
IS - JAN.
ER -