title: Pattern of Change of Depressive Disorder over a One-Year Period among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Québec.
abstract: The objective of this study was to describe changes in depression and its correlates, in community-dwelling elderly, over a 12-month period. Data come from a longitudinal ESA Study (Enquête sur la Santé des Aînés) of elderly persons (n = 2752). Depression was measured using the DSM-IV criteria. Polytomous logistic regression was used to assess relations, over time, between participant's characteristics and depression. Among the 164 (5.9%) subjects, who were depressed at baseline, 19.5% were continuously ill cases and 80.4% had recovered, 12 months later. In polytomous regression, factors increasing the probability of the three depression states (persistence, recovery, and incidence) were daily hassles, stress intensity, and fair/poor self-rated mental health. Depression in old age is dynamic. Available prognostic factors can be taken into account to help direct treatment to elderly at highest risk of a poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche Hôpital Charles LeMoyne, Campus de Longueuil, Montréal, QC, Canada J4K 0A8 ; Laboratory of Gerontology, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada G9A 5H7.
authors.forename: Djemaa-Samia
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mechakra-Tahiri
authors.forename: Micheline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dubé
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Zunzunegui
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Préville
authors.forename: Djamal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berbiche
authors.forename: Joëlle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brassard