LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION IN PRIVATE-PRACTICE DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS - A 203-CASE STUDY

Objectives. To establish the prevalence of late-life depression in uni polar/bipolar depressed outpatients in private practice, to compare it with depression in younger patients and to compare its early/late-ons et subtypes. Methods. Two hundred and three consecutive unipolar/bipol ar depressed outpatients presenting for treatment of depression were i nterviewed with the Comprehensive Assessment of Symptoms and History s tructured interview and depression severity was assessed with the Mont gomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Results. Prevalence was 21%. Late-life depression had significantly more unipolar/fewer bipolar patients, higher age at onset, longer duration of illness and lower psychiatric comorbidity th an depression in younger patients. Severity, psychosis, chronicity and recurrences were not significantly different. Early-onset late-life d epression had significantly lower age at baseline, longer duration of illness and more recurrences than late-onset late-life depression. Con clusions. Findings support suggested age subdivisions of depression an d provide a picture of private practice late-life depression. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.