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Prevalence and Correlates of Depression in a Population of Nonagenarians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Y. Forsell ,
A. F. Jorm ,
E. Von Strauss  and
B. Winblad
Y. Forsell*
Affiliation:
Stockholm Gerontology Research Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
A. F. Jorm
Affiliation:
Stockholm Gerontology Research Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
E. Von Strauss
Affiliation:
Stockholm Gerontology Research Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
B. Winblad
Affiliation:
NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
*
Dr Forsell, Stockholm Gerontology Research Centre, Dalagatan 9-11, S-113 82 Stockholm, Sweden
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Extract

Background

Clinicians see many more nonagenarian patients now and there is a need for epidemiological data relating to this group. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and syndromes in this age group.

Method

The DSM–IV and the ICD–10 criteria for depression were used and correlated with physical health, disability in daily life, gender, use of drugs, social circumstances and cognitive dysfunction. Data were derived from 329 persons aged 90 and over, registered in a parish of Stockholm, who had been extensively examined by physicians and nurses.

Results/Conclusions

The prevalence of Major Depressive Episode as defined in DSM–IV was 7.9%; and of mild, moderate and severe Depressive Episode (combined); as defined in ICD–10 9.1%. No gender difference was found. Disability in daily life and the use of psychotropic drugs were found to correlate with depressive symptoms and syndromes.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 1 , July 1995 , pp. 61 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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