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Depression in Europe

Geographical distribution among older people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. R. M. Copeland*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Ageing, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
A. T. F. Beekman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M. E. Dewey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Ageing, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
C. Hooijer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universitat Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
B. A. Lawlor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Elderly, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
A. Lobo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Zaragoza, Spain
H. Magnusson
Affiliation:
Heilsugaeslutod Grundarfjardar, Iceland
A. H. Mann
Affiliation:
Section of Epidemiology and General Practice and Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
I. Meller
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
M. J. Prince
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
F. Reischies
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Universität Klinkum Eschenallee 3, Berlin, Germany
C. Turrina
Affiliation:
Ospendale Civile, Breschia, Italy
M. W. Devries
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
K. C. M. Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Ageing, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
*
J. Copeland, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Ageing, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA

Abstract

Background

This is the first report of results from the EURODEP Programme.

Aims

To assess the prevalence of depression judged suitable for intervention in randomised samples of those aged ⩾65 in nine European centres.

Method

The GMS-AGECAT package.

Results

Differences in prevalence are apparent, 8.8% (Iceland) to 23.6% (Munich). When sub-cases and cases are added together, five high- and four low-scoring centres emerge. Women predominated over men. Proportions of sub-cases to cases revealed striking differences but did not explain prevalence. There was no constant association between prevalence and age. A meta-analysis (n=13 808) gave an overall prevalence of 12. 3%, 14.1% for women and 8.6% for men.

Conclusions

Considerable variation occurs in the levels of depression across Europe, the cause for which is not immediately obvious. Case and sub-case levels taken together show greater variability, suggesting that it is not a matter of case/sub-case selection criteria, which were standardised by computer. Substantial levels of depression are shown but 62–82% of persons had no depressive level. Opportunities for treatment exist.

Type
Eurodep Study
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

The European Commission BIOMEDI initiative funded this Concerted Action Programme.

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