Age, age of onset and course of primary depressive illness in the elderly

Thirty-eight elderly patients with primary depressive illness (Feighner criteria) were followed up for 7-31 months. In the absence of persistent organic signs and severe physical illness, age of onset (first depressive episode after 60) but not age was significantly related to course of illness. Compared to early onset depressives, late onset depressives were more likely to remain completely well during the follow-up period and less likely to have frequent or disabling relapses.