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The Prognosis of Depression in Old Age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. W. Burvill ,
W. D. Hall ,
H. G. Stampfer  and
J. P. Emmerson
P. W. Burvill*
Affiliation:
The University of Western Australia
W. D. Hall
Affiliation:
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales
H. G. Stampfer
Affiliation:
The University of Western Australia
J. P. Emmerson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, The University of Western Australia
*
∗University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, Royal Perth Hospital, GPO Box X2213, Perth, Western Australia 6001
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Abstract

The 12–month outcome of 103 elderly depressed patients treated by psychiatrists in Perth, Western Australia, was good in 32–47% of cases, depending upon the stringency of the outcome criteria used. A higher than expected mortality was found, especially in men. No clear association was found between 12–month outcome and a variety of clinical variables at index admission, including chronic physical illness, severity of depression, and severe life events during follow-up. As the statistical power of this and other studies is small, it would be unwise at present to draw definite conclusions about the role of possible risk factors in the prognosis of depressed elderly. Vigorous treatment of the depressive illness and adequate after-care are important.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 64 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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