Delusional depressive in-patients, 1892 to 1982

Three groups of 114 depressed patients admitted to hospital in Edinburgh, one in the year 1892, one in 1942-3 and one in 1981-2, were studied. The occurrence and content of depressive delusions were recorded. A significantly higher proportion of depressives had delusions in 1892 than in 1942-3, but there was no significant decline between 1942-3 and 1981-2. It is concluded that this decline in the proportion of depressive having delusions since 1892 probably does not reflect a genuine decline in the prevalence of depressive illness with delusions. The content of delusions differs between the years and between the sexes, and these differences are discussed.