THE PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION IN ELDERLY MEDICAL INPATIENTS

To estimate the point-prevalence of major depression in elderly medica l inpatients according to a computerized diagnostic system, a two-phas e design was carried out. A consecutive series of 198 elderly medical inpatients completed two self-rating scales for depression (Beck Depre ssion Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale) and the Mini-Mental State Examination. According to these screening instruments, 69 'probable c ases' were identified and were referred for psychiatric evaluation usi ng the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. Only 10 patients were identifi ed as diagnostic cases of depression according to the GMS-AGECAT packa ge. The estimated prevalence rate for depression according to AGECAT i n this population was 5.9% (95% confidence limits 2.3-9.3%). This is l ower than has been found in previous studies in elderly medical inpati ents. Possible reasons for this finding are discussed.