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Prognosis of Depression in the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Philip Meats ,
Mariam Timol  and
David Jolley
Philip Meats*
Affiliation:
Kings Mill Hospital, Nottingham NG17 4JL
Mariam Timol
Affiliation:
Withington Hospital
David Jolley
Affiliation:
Withington Hospital, Manchester
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Fifty-six consecutively admitted elderly (65 and over) patients with depression were assessed on mental, physical and social states. They were followed up and assessed at home one year later. A group of 24 depressed in-patients aged under 65 years admitted to the same ward during the same period was also assessed. Outcome was different for the two groups, with 68% of the elderly ‘well’ at one year, against 50% of the younger group. The younger group were more likely to have ‘poor’ outcome (41 %) than the elderly (16%). However, there were more deaths than expected, particularly in the elderly. These findings differ from some previous studies, and indicate an excellent prognosis for depression in the elderly. Outcome in younger patients is less good.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 159 , Issue 5 , November 1991 , pp. 659 - 663
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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