The depressed elderly living in the community. A follow-up study.
In a 1982 community survey, 23 elderly respondents were rated as having a depressive disorder by CATEGO. Twenty survivors were followed up three and a half years later. The depression had remitted within one year in seven cases but nine were still depressed. There is a need for ongoing education of GPs about the recognition and course of depression in the elderly.
Ben-Arie
O
O
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Republic of South Africa.
Welman
M
M
Teggin
A F
AF
D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D012931:Social Environment