title: Maintenance treatment for recurrent depression in late life. A four-year outcome study.
abstract: The authors examined the 4-year outcome of elderly patients who were given open-label maintenance treatment for recurrent depression. Thirty-eight patients, age 60 years or older, who had recovered from an episode of recurrent nonpsychotic unipolar major depression were maintained on full-dose antidepressant medication and, if necessary, adjunctive lithium. They were followed on a regular basis for 4 years or until recurrence, whichever occurred first. The cumulative probability of remaining well without recurrence was 70%. Longer time to respond to treatment and higher anxiety scores at the time of response predicted shorter time to recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Psychiatry Program, The Toronto Hospital and The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Ontario, Canada. alastaril.flint@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rifat
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D009661:Nortriptyline; D010624:Phenelzine