Using Fluoxetine in "Very Old" Depressed Nursing Home Residents

Data are scarce concerning the utility of antidepressants among persons age 75 and over. The authors conducted an open clinical trial of fluoxetine among 29 patients (mean age = 89 years) with major depressive disorder ([MDD] 62%), major depression accompanying Alzheimer's disease (17%), vascular dementia (14%), and stroke (7%). At 12 weeks, of the 26 patients who had completed the study, 81% no longer had MDD and showed significant declines on the Ham-D and Zung depression scales. Nonresponders were more likely to have depression associated with a central nervous system disorder (P = 0.002). Side effects were rated as mild.