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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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The prognosis of depression in old age
— outcome six to eight years after clinical treatment | | Author(s) | M L Stek, E van Exel, W van Tilburg |
| Journal title | Aging & Mental Health, vol 6, no 3, August 2002 |
| Pages | pp 282-285 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Depression ; In-patients ; Psychiatric treatment ; Longitudinal surveys ; Netherlands. |
| Annotation | Previous studies suggest that the short-term outcome in severely depressed older people in the Netherlands is worse compared to other studies in the Western world. The present study uses a structural diagnostic interview (CIDI) to examine the long-term prognosis (over 6-8 years) of 105 older inpatients with major depressive disorder and possible predictors of outcome. At follow-up, 40% of the original sample had died. Of the survivors, 33% had fared well, 24% had a relapsing course, 22% had residual symptoms, 11% were continuously ill, and 9% had probable dementia. With respect to prognostic factors, personality disorder predicted a worse outcome. All patients with minor depressive disorder at follow-up received specialised care and used antidepressants. None of the patients received ECT. The mortality rate in clinically treated older people with major depressive disorder is high. Among survivors, the long-term prognosis in the Netherlands is comparable with other studies to date. The presence of a personality disorder predicts worse outcome. Though the accessibility of services seems to be good, more vigorous treatment was not applied. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-020919214 A |
| Classmark | ENR: LF7: LP: 3J: 76H |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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