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Socio-economic deprivation and the prevalence and prediction of depression in older community residents. The MRC-ALPHA study
Author(s)K C M Wilson, R Chen, S Taylor, C F M McCracken
Journal titleThe British Journal of Psychiatry, vol 175, December 1999
Pagespp 549-553
KeywordsDepression ; Poverty ; Cross sectional surveys.
AnnotationThe Townsend index (TI) is a measure of social deprivation. It can be applied to postal districts and has been used in studies examining the ecological associations of mental illness. This study examined the utility of the TI in identifying older populations with a high prevalence and risk of developing depression. The study was carried out in the context of a cohort study of an age- and gender-stratified sample of 5222 community residents aged 65 years and over. Subjects were interviewed at intervals of 2 years. The relationships between Townsend score and psychiatric diagnoses (in particular, depression) were examined. Results revealed that high Townsend scores were associated with increased prevalence and incidence of depression and prevalence of organic psychiatric illness. The authors concluded that the TI can be used to prioritise psychiatric and primary care resources so as to cater for older populations likely to suffer from depression and organic psychiatric conditions. (AKM).
Accession NumberCPA-000208229 A
ClassmarkENR: W6: 3KB

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