Are some symptoms of depression age dependent?

177 depressed patients were examined to see whether age was associated with the presence of specific symptoms or symptom clusters. 14 of the 39 tested variables were significantly associated with age. Patients age > or = 40 were more likely to have terminal insomnia, agitation, diurnal variation with lower mood in the morning and the RDC subtype diagnoses endogenous, incapacitated or agitated. Patients age < or = 39 were more likely to have hypersomnia, increased appetite, weight gain, decreased libido, headaches, diurnal variation with worsening of mood in the afternoon and a mood characterized as sad not anxious.