Differential diagnosis between depression and dementia.
The proportion of U.S. citizens > 65 years of age is growing steadily. This aging of the population is expected to bring an increase in the incidence of depression and dementia, two clinical entities common in elderly populations. Although depression and dementia have many similarities, they also have important clinical distinctions. It is important for primary-care physicians to understand these distinctions, since only approximately 20% of patients with depressive symptoms are treated by mental health practitioners.
Yesavage
J
J
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans