@article {1180, title = {Prevalence, incidence, and persistence of major depressive symptoms in the Cardiovascular Health Study.}, journal = {Aging Ment Health}, volume = {14}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Mar}, pages = {168-76}, abstract = {

PURPOSE: To explore the association of major depressive symptoms with advancing age, sex, and self-rated health among older adults.

DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed 10 years of annual assessments in a longitudinal cohort of 5888 Medicare recipients in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Self-rated health was assessed with a single question, and subjects categorized as healthy or sick. Major depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale, with subjects categorized as nondepressed (score < 10) or depressed (> or =10). Age-, sex-, and health-specific prevalence of depression and the probabilities of transition between depressed and nondepressed states were estimated.

RESULTS: The prevalence of a major depressive state was higher in women, and increased with advancing age. The probability of becoming depressed increased with advancing age among the healthy but not the sick. Women showed a greater probability than men of becoming depressed, regardless of health status. Major depressive symptoms persisted over one-year intervals in about 60\% of the healthy and 75\% of the sick, with little difference between men and women.

IMPLICATIONS: Clinically significant depressive symptoms occur commonly in older adults, especially women, increase with advancing age, are associated with poor self-rated health, and are largely intransigent. In order to limit the deleterious consequences of depression among older adults, increased attention to prevention, screening, and treatment is warranted. A self-rated health item could be used in clinical settings to refine the prognosis of late-life depression.

}, keywords = {Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cohort Studies, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Health Status, Humans, Incidence, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Personality Assessment, Prevalence, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Quality of Life, Sex Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires}, issn = {1364-6915}, doi = {10.1080/13607860903046537}, author = {Thielke, Stephen M and Diehr, Paula and Unutzer, Jurgen} }