Predictors for Depression, Anxiety and psychotic symptoms in a very elderly population: data from a 3-year follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the predictors for Depression, Anxiety and psychotic symptoms in a population of very elderly persons.


METHODS
A total of 894 persons with a mean age of 84.5 years were examined twice using a 3-year interval. Physicians performed a structured psychiatric interview and persons with a current disorder or symptom were excluded.


RESULTS
Persons who had a history of psychosis, were affected with Dementia and had an insufficient social network had an increased frequency of psychotic symptoms. A history of Depression/Anxiety increased the frequency of having Anxiety and Depression. An insufficient social network was associated with Anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study Anxiety, Depression and psychotic symptoms in the very elderly seem to be linked to a lifetime psychological vulnerability, since all were related to a previous psychiatric history. Additionally, psychotic symptoms seemed to emerge due to structural brain damage, as seen in Dementia.
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Occupational Therapy and Elderly Care, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Yvonne.Forsell@neurotec.ki.se
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology