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Depression, Dementia and Disability in the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. A. Griffiths
Affiliation:
Leverhulme Research Fellow
W. R. Good
Affiliation:
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford
N. P. Watson
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
H. F. O'Donnell
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
P. J. Fell
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon
J. M. Shakespeare
Affiliation:
The Health Centre, Earls Lane, Deddington, Oxon

Abstract

A structured sample of mobile elderly patients in a rural community practice was assessed on validated rating scales for depression, dementia and disability. A total of 62% of the sample was abnormal on at least one variable. The overall prevalence of depression was 13%; the overall prevalence of dementia was either 10 or 18% depending on the criterion of Mental Test Score (MTS). Depression and dementia were related, depression being more common in females. In depressed and demented patients, MTS was age-related in those over 60 years; in depression alone, MTS was not age-related. Dementia was age-related, particularly over the age of 75. Disability increased with age and was more common in females. Disability was associated with both depression and dementia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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