Late-life depression in private practice depressed outpatients: a 203-case study

To establish the prevalence of late-life depression in unipolar/bipolar depressed outpatients in private practice, to compare it with depression in younger patients and to compare its early/late-onset subtypes.

Two hundred and three consecutive unipolar/bipolar depressed outpatients presenting for treatment of depression were interviewed with the Comprehensive Assessment of Symptoms and History structured interview and depression severity was assessed with the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale.

Prevalence was 21%. Late-life depression had significantly more unipolar/fewer bipolar patients, higher age at onset, longer duration of illness and lower psychiatric comorbidity than depression in younger patients. Severity, psychosis, chronicity and recurrences were not significantly different. Early-onset late-life depression had significantly lower age at baseline, longer duration of illness and more recurrences than late-life depression.

Findings support suggested age subdivisions of depression and provide a picture of private practice late-life depression.