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Time-to-Remission From Geriatric Depression: Psychosocial and Clinical Factors
- Source :
- The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 10:551-559
- Publication Year :
- 2002
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2002.
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVE The authors examined psychosocial and clinical predictors of time-to-remission in a sample of initially clinically depressed elderly patients. METHODS Using a standardized algorithm, a prospective cohort study enrolled 239 patients undergoing treatment. Patients were followed for up to 4.5 years, until death or withdrawal from the study. Baseline predictor variables included psychosocial factors, such as four domains of social support; basic and instrumental activities of daily living; and clinical factors, including use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), past history of depression, comorbidities, and antidepressant treatment. RESULTS Only 33% of the sample (n = 79) met our classification for depression remission. A lack of instrumental and subjective social support, poor self-rated health, the use of antipsychotic medication, or use of an antidepressant in the last 7 days were predictors of longer time-to-remission. Use of ECT in the last year was related to shorter time-to-remission. CONCLUSION Baseline psychosocial factors were just as important, as predictors of depression remission, as were clinical and diagnostic variables. Interventions directed toward social support resources, in addition to clinical intervention, including the use of ECT where appropriate, are likely to improve rates of depression remission.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
Activities of daily living
medicine.medical_treatment
Psychological intervention
Psychiatry and Mental health
Social support
Electroconvulsive therapy
medicine
Geriatrics and Gerontology
Psychiatry
Prospective cohort study
Psychology
Psychosocial
Depression (differential diagnoses)
Cohort study
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10647481
- Volume :
- 10
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........b8404fed13efba541c74065fc5c599bd