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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

The two-year course of late-life depression; results from the Netherlands study of depression in older persons

Authors: Hannie C Comijs, Jasper Nieuwesteeg, Rob Kok, Harm W van Marwijk, Roos C van der Mast, Paul Naarding, Richard C Oude Voshaar, Peter Verhaak, Margot WM de Waal, Max L Stek

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

We aimed to examine the course of depression during 2-year follow-up in a group clinically depressed older persons. Subsequently, we studied which socio-demographic and clinical characteristics predict a depression diagnoses at 2-year follow-up.

Methods

Data were used from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older persons (NESDO; N = 510). Diagnoses of depression DSM-IV-TR criteria were available from 285 patients at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Severity of the depressive symptoms, as assessed with the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (IDS), was obtained from 6-monthly postal questionnaires. Information about socio-demographic and clinical variables was obtained from the baseline measurement.

Result

From the 285 older persons who were clinically depressed at baseline almost half (48.4%) also suffered from a depressive disorder two years later. Patients with more severe depressive symptoms, comorbid dysthymia, younger age of onset and more chronic diseases were more likely to be depressed at 2-year follow-up. 61% of the persons that were depressed at baseline had a chronic course of depressive symptoms during these two years.

Conclusions

Late-life depression often has a chronic course, even when treated conform current guidelines for older persons. Our results suggest that physical comorbidity may be candidate for adjusted and intensified treatment strategies of older depressed patients with chronic and complex pathology.
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Metadata
Title
The two-year course of late-life depression; results from the Netherlands study of depression in older persons
Authors
Hannie C Comijs
Jasper Nieuwesteeg
Rob Kok
Harm W van Marwijk
Roos C van der Mast
Paul Naarding
Richard C Oude Voshaar
Peter Verhaak
Margot WM de Waal
Max L Stek
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0401-5

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