title: Predictors of treatments acceptable to patients for late-life depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Describe older patients' perceptions about depression and characteristics associated with acceptance of treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three primary care clinics in Iowa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive sample of 529 primary care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Depression screening tool (a 9-item patient health questionnaire [PHQ-9]) and questionnaire including sociodemographic data, patient attitudes about depression, and acceptability of different treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 71.9 years (range 60-93 years), 314 (59%) female. Among the 529 participants, 93 (17.5%) had history of depression and 60 (11.3%) had PHQ-9 scores of 10 or greater. Participants believed depression is a disease for which they would use medication and counseling. Accepting medications from primary physicians was strongly associated with a past history of depression (P < 0.01) and with agreeing that depression needs treatment (P < 0.01). Counseling was not acceptable for those believing that they can control depression on their own (P < 0.01). Older patients (P < 0.001) and those with higher education levels (P < 0.01) were less likely to accept herbs or supplements as treatment options. Willingness to discuss treatments with family was associated with not using alcohol as a treatment and acceptance of all other treatment options (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attitude that depression is a disease and the willingness to discuss depression with family may enhance treatment acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jogerst
authors.forename: Shimin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vanderlip
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents