The relationship of aging and dysthymia in primary case

The authors compared symptomatic and functional characteristics between old er (age greater than or equal to 60; n =9 1) and younger (age 18-59 n = 125 )primary care patients with dysthymia. Three of six significantly different depression symptoms were of moderate-to-large effect size with the older g roup having a lower proportion reporting the symptom. The older group had a worse physical health function score brit a better mental health function score. There appears to be a core of symptoms and functional impatient that generalizes across the age span. There are also significant age difference s. Growing older appears to have an impact on the nature of what it means t o have dysthymia.