Depression and physical health in later life: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA).
BACKGROUND
In later life, declining physical health is often thought to be one of the most important risk factors for depression. Major depressive disorders are relatively rare, while depressive syndromes which do not fulfill diagnostic criteria (minor depression) are common.


METHODS
Community-based sample of older adults (55-85) in the Netherlands: baseline sample n = 3056; study sample in two stage screening procedure n = 646. Both relative (odds ratios) and absolute (population attributable risks) measures of associations reported.


RESULTS
In multivariate analyses minor depression was related to physical health, while major depression was not. General aspects of physical health had stronger associations with depression than specific disease categories. Significant interactions between ill health and social support were found only for minor depression. Major depression was associated with variables reflecting long-standing vulnerability.


CONCLUSIONS
Major and minor depression differ in their association with physical health.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional study relying largely on self-reported data.


CONCLUSIONS
In major depression, with or without somatic co-morbidity, primary treatment of the affective disorder should not be delayed. In minor depression associated with declining physical health, intervention may be aimed at either or both conditions.
Beekman
A T
AT
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, Valerius Clinic, The Netherlands.
Penninx
B W
BW
Deeg
D J
DJ
Ormel
J
J
Braam
A W
AW
van Tilburg
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies