title: Clinician-rated symptoms and signs of depression in aged Finns.
abstract: The study describes symptoms and signs of depression in elderly (60 years or over) Finns. Lists of symptoms and signs assessed by the examining physicians in a population study were used in rating, and the symptoms and signs of persons diagnosed as depressed were compared to those of persons who were not depressed. The commonest symptoms both in men and women were sleep disturbances, fatiguability, loss of interest, depressed mood, loss of activity, pains, pessimism and sense of uselessness. In addition, worry was a common symptom in women. Hallucinations and other delusions than those about unforgivable behaviour were very uncommon. Loss of libido did not strongly indicate occurrence of depression, and in persons aged 70 years or over it could not be included in symptoms of depression. Sex differences in the commonest symptoms of depression were evident: worry, crying spells, helplessness, loneliness, suicidal ideas and pains were more common in depressed women than in depressed men. Some age differences in symptoms were also found both in men and in women. Sad expression was a common sign of depression in both sexes. In addition, slow movements, scarcity of gestures and slow speech were quite common signs in depressed men and stooping posture was quite common in depressed women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kivelä
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pahkala
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012737:Sex Factors