title: Depression in late life: review and commentary.
abstract: Depression is perhaps the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life and significantly decreases quality of life in older adults. In recent years, the literature on late-life depression has exploded. Many gaps in our understanding of the outcome of late-life depression have been filled. Intriguing findings have emerged regarding the etiology of late-onset depression. The number of studies documenting the evidence base for therapy has increased dramatically. Here, I first address case definition, and then I review the current community- and clinic-based epidemiological studies. Next I address the outcome of late-life depression, including morbidity and mortality studies. Then I present the extant evidence regarding the etiology of depression in late life from a biopsychosocial perspective. Finally, I present evidence for the current therapies prescribed for depressed elders, ranging from medications to group therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for the Study of Aging, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. blaze001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Dan G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Blazer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans