Treatment preferences for depression in the elderly.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric psychiatry
• Mental health services research

Background:

• Patient-centered treatment improves depression outcomes.
• Preferences for late-life depression treatments in individuals 75+ are unknown.
• Determinants of these preferences require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify preferred depression treatments in patients aged 75 and over.
• To explore factors influencing these treatment preferences.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the German AgeMooDe study (N=1,230) of primary care patients aged 75+.
• Assessed depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).
• Determined patient support for eight distinct treatment options.

Main Results:

• Medication, psychotherapy, social interaction, and exercise were favored treatments.
• Higher GDS scores (≥6) reduced endorsement of certain treatments.
• Moderate depressive symptoms increased indecision ('I don't know') across options.

Conclusions:

• Depressive symptom severity influences treatment preferences and indecision.
• High preference for psychotherapy indicates a future demand increase.
• Healthcare systems must prepare for increased psychotherapy needs in older adults.