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Depression, Dementia and Disability in the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. A. Griffiths ,
W. R. Good ,
N. P. Watson ,
H. F. O'Donnell ,
P. J. Fell  and
J. M. Shakespeare
R. A. Griffiths
Affiliation:
Leverhulme Research Fellow
W. R. Good
Affiliation:
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford
N. P. Watson
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
H. F. O'Donnell
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
P. J. Fell
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
J. M. Shakespeare
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
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Abstract

A structured sample of mobile elderly patients in a rural community practice was assessed on validated rating scales for depression, dementia and disability. A total of 62% of the sample was abnormal on at least one variable. The overall prevalence of depression was 13%; the overall prevalence of dementia was either 10 or 18% depending on the criterion of Mental Test Score (MTS). Depression and dementia were related, depression being more common in females. In depressed and demented patients, MTS was age-related in those over 60 years; in depression alone, MTS was not age-related. Dementia was age-related, particularly over the age of 75. Disability increased with age and was more common in females. Disability was associated with both depression and dementia.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 150 , Issue 4 , April 1987 , pp. 482 - 493
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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