Botany老年人群抑郁和痴呆的患病率和结局

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BACKGROUND: Large epidemiological studies of adult populations have reported
depression to be less prevalent in old age than among younger adults, whereas
studies limited to older persons have reported rates that vary considerably,
some showing high rates of depression. There was, therefore, reason to check
data from a study that reported high rates, and to review evidence in relation
to diagnosis and outcome. METHOD: Re-examination of data from a 1985 survey of
elderly people living at home (n = 146). Depression and cognitive impairment
were also assessed in a local hostel (n = 42) and nursing home (n = 74). DSM
diagnoses were made by an old age psychiatrist. In the nursing home, 23 other
residents could not respond to interview questions but were considered to have
severe dementia. Subjects in all three settings were followed up after 4 years.
RESULTS: Seven community subjects (4.5%; confidence interval 1.3-8.3%) and three
in residential care fulfilled criteria for major depression. The estimated total
prevalence of depressive disorders among elderly in Botany was between 13.0 and
13.6% (4.6% major depression, 3.6% dementia with depression, 5.4% other
depressive disorders). In 1985, the prevalence of dementia among those living at
home was 11%. Four-year mortality in the dementia cases was 60%. CONCLUSIONS:
Botany has a high prevalence of dementia and depression among elderly people.
The recent cross-age. Australian study of mental health and well-being provided
an inaccurate report concerning the pattern of mental disorders in old age.
[引自Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2001 Mar;16(3):293-9]