Article2004

Is Depression in Old Age Fatal Only When People Feel Lonely?

Max L. Stek · David J. Vinkers · Jacobijn Gussekloo · Aartjan T.F. Beekman · Roos C. van der Mast · Rudi G. J. Westendorp

142 citations0/0 files storedAmerican Journal of Psychiatry

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Health disparities and outcomes Aging, Health, and Disability Health and Well-being Studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The impact of depression and perceived loneliness in the oldest old is largely unknown. The authors studied the relationship between the presence of depressive symptoms and all-cause mortality in old age, especially the potential distorting effect of perceived loneliness. METHOD: Within a prospective population-based study of 85-year-olds, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale and the Loneliness Scale were annually applied in all 476 participants with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 18 points or more. RESULTS: Depression was present in 23% and associated with marital state, institutionalization, and perceived loneliness. When depression and perceived loneliness were assessed during follow-up, neither depression nor perceived loneliness had a significant effect on mortality. However, those who suffered from both depression and feelings of loneliness had a 2.1 times higher mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the increased mortality risk attributable to depression in the presence of perceived loneliness may result from motivational depletion.

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References

2000Association between depression and mortality in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study.1999Minor and Major Depression and the Risk of Death in Older Persons 2001Successful Aging in the Oldest Old 2002Accuracy of the 15‐item geriatric depression scale (GDS‐15) in a community sample of the oldest old 1999Changes in and factors related to loneliness in older men. The Zutphen Elderly Study

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