The many faces of geriatric depression.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies on five aspects of geriatric depression, namely subsyndromal depression, risk factors and association with chronic pain, cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, are reviewed.


RESULTS
Subsyndromal depression in the elderly population is not uncommon in east Asia; the prevalence is about 8-9%. Risk factors of geriatric depression include poor health, brain injury, low folate and vitamin B12 and raised plasma homocysteine levels. Depressed elderly with chronic pain are prone to suicidal ideation. Depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and mortality in coronary heart disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The growing interest in research on geriatric depression could focus on early diagnosis to help doctors treat depression better at primary care level.
Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Kua Ee
KE
Heok
Roger
R
Ho
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology
D005492:Folic Acid