BMJ  2004;329:181-182 (24 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7459.181

Editorial

Treating depression in later life

We need to implement the evidence that exists

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The three major mental health problems affecting older people are dementia, delirium, and depression. Depressive disorders are the most common, affecting one in seven, a prevalence rate that is consistent across countries and cultures.¹ Comparable rates for dementia and delirium are one in 17 and one in 25. Therapeutic optimism surrounds the management of dementia and delirium, but the development of new management approaches in late life depression has been neglected, perhaps because of stigma. Twenty years ago, a rule of three was proposed in this journal: a third of older depressed people get better, a third remain the same, and a third get worse.² This rule is still applicable today despite the availability and efficacy of treatments that could substantially improve these ratios. Depression late in life is associated with serious morbidity and mortality, including suicide.³ The national service framework for older people targets stroke, falls, dementia, and depression, . . . [Full text of this article]

Rusholme Academic Unit, Rusholme Health Centre, Manchester M14 5NP

Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester M13 9WL

Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9PL (A_Burns@fs1.with.man.ac.uk)

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Burroughs, H., Lovell, K., Morley, M., Baldwin, R., Burns, A., Chew-Graham, C. (2006). 'Justifiable depression': how primary care professionals and patients view late-life depression? a qualitative study. Fam Pract 23: 369-377 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Ross, C. M. (2005). Fish Oil versus Cod Liver Oil: Is Vitamin D a Reason to Go Back to the Future. J Am Board Fam Med 18: 445-446 [Full text]  

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