Pattern of Change of Depressive Disorder over a One-Year Period among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Québec

Abstract EN

The objective of this study was to describe changes in depression and its correlates, in community-dwelling elderly, over a 12-month period.

Data come from a longitudinal ESA Study (Enquête sur la Santé des Aînés) of elderly persons (n = 2752).

Depression was measured using the DSM-IV criteria.

Polytomous logistic regression was used to assess relations, over time, between participant’s characteristics and depression.

Among the 164 (5.9%) subjects, who were depressed at baseline, 19.5% were continuously ill cases and 80.4% had recovered, 12 months later.

In polytomous regression, factors increasing the probability of the three depression states (persistence, recovery, and incidence) were daily hassles, stress intensity, and fair/poor self-rated mental health.

Depression in old age is dynamic.

Available prognostic factors can be taken into account to help direct treatment to elderly at highest risk of a poor prognosis.