| |
Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
 | |
|
Depression among the oldest old
— the Umeå 85+ study | | Author(s) | Ellinor Bergdahl, Janna M C Gustavsson, Kristina Kallin |
| Journal title | International Psychogeriatrics, vol 17, no 4, December 2005 |
| Pages | pp 557-575 |
| Keywords | Octogenarians ; Nonagenarians ; Depression ; Cross sectional surveys ; Sweden. |
| Annotation | The prevalence of, and factors associated with, depression in the oldest old was investigated in a cross-sectional population-based study in Umeå, Sweden. Of 319 eligible participants aged 85, 90 and 95, it was possible to evaluate 242 (75.8%) for depression. Data were collected from structured interviews and assessments in participants' homes and from medical charts, relatives and caregivers. Depression was screened using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15) and further assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Cognition was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), activities of daily living (ADLs) using the Barthel ADL Index, nutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and well-being using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. The 85-year-olds had significantly lower prevalence of depression than the 90- and 95-year-olds (16.8% vs 31.1% vs 32.3%). No sex differences were found. One-third of those with depression had no treatment; and among those with ongoing treatment, 59% were still depressed. Those diagnosed with depression had a poorer well-being and higher 1-year mortality. Logistic regression analyses showed that depression was independently associated with living in institutions and number of medications. Depression in the oldest old is common, under-diagnosed and inadequately treated, and causes poor well-being and increased mortality. More knowledge about depression is essential to be able to improve the assessment and treatment of depression in the oldest old. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-090825002 A |
| Classmark | BBM: BBR: ENR: 3KB: 76P |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
|
| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
| |
|