Incidence of depression in octo- and nonagenerians: results of an epidemiological follow-up community study

Abstract

The incidence rate of depression in very old people was examined. In a two-wave community study of Munich, Germany a representative sample of 402 people older than 85 years was restudied 1 year later. In the first cross section a total of 358 (89%) subjects were interviewed. One year later 263 (73.6%) subjects could be reexamined. Only persons with two examinations were included for analysis of incidence. Several diagnostic systems were used. According to the project diagnosis of 203 persons at risk, 25 subjects suffered 1 year later from depression. The incidence rate amounted to 133.49 per 1000 person years at risk. According to the project diagnosis of 203 persons at risk, 25 subjects suffered 1 year later from depression. The incidence rate amounted to 133.49 per 1000 person years at risk. According to the GMS-A computer AGECAT diagnosis the incidence rate amounted to 140.97 per 1000 person years at risk. The younger age cohort, persons with changing living situations and subjects suffering from dementia in the first cross section had a higher risk for depression. The results were not significant.

Characteristics of behavioral and psychological symptoms in the oldest patients with Alzheimer's disease

“…Incidence of depression in very old people in a community sample amounted to 133.49/1000 person years at risk, with demented subjects being at higher risk for depression. 26 A similar statement could be made concerning anxiety. 27 In contrast to such broad-based epidemiological studies, we investigated AD patients who consulted a geriatric psychiatry clinic.…”

Psychiatry and the Oldest Old

“…(Good estimates from community samples are difficult to obtain because the oldest old are underrepresented in these samples [52,53].) The 1-year incidence of clinically significant depressive symptoms is high in the oldest old, reaching 13% in those 85 years old or older; the incidence of major depression is around 1.5%, similar to the rate in younger age groups (54)(55)(56).…”

Church Attendance and New Episodes of Major Depression in a Community Study of Older Adults: The Cache County Study

“…Incidence rates that include subsyndromal cases vary between 17.1 and 133.5 per 1,000 risk years (Meller, Fichter, & Schroppel, 1996;Palsson, Ostling, & Skoog, 2001), whereas rates of major depression and dysthymia range between 12.5 and 24.0 per 1,000 risk years (Forsell & Winblad, 1999). Further, those with a history of latelife depression exhibit a doubling in risk for dementia (Jorm, 2001 …”