British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(4), April 2008, pp.290-293.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
It is not clear whether the severity of depressive episodes changes during the course of depressive disorder. Using a Danish nationwide case register, all psychiatric in-patients and out-patients with a main ICD–10 diagnosis of a single mild, moderate or severe depressive episode at the end of first contact were identified. Patients included in the study were from the period 1994–2003 A total of 19 392 patients received a diagnosis of a single depressive episode at first contact. The prevalence of severe depressive episodes increased from 25.5% at the first episode to 50.0% at the 15th episode and the prevalence of psychotic episodes increased from 8.7% at the first episode to 25.0% at the 15th episode. The same pattern was found regardless of gender, age at first contact and calendar year. The increasing severity of depressive episodes emphasises the importance of early and sustained prophylactic treatment.
It is not clear whether the severity of depressive episodes changes during the course of depressive disorder. Using a Danish nationwide case register, all psychiatric in-patients and out-patients with a main ICD–10 diagnosis of a single mild, moderate or severe depressive episode at the end of first contact were identified. Patients included in the study were from the period 1994–2003 A total of 19 392 patients received a diagnosis of a single depressive episode at first contact. The prevalence of severe depressive episodes increased from 25.5% at the first episode to 50.0% at the 15th episode and the prevalence of psychotic episodes increased from 8.7% at the first episode to 25.0% at the 15th episode. The same pattern was found regardless of gender, age at first contact and calendar year. The increasing severity of depressive episodes emphasises the importance of early and sustained prophylactic treatment.
Subject terms:
hospitals, medical treatment, community care, depression;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(12), December 2006, pp.1127-1131.
Publisher:
Wiley
It is unclear whether patients with late onset and patients with early onset present with different subtypes of depression. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of subtypes of ICD-10 single depressive episodes for patients with late onset (age >65 years) and patient with early onset (age 65 years) in a nationwide sample of all patients discharged from psychiatric in the prevalence of depression with or without melancholic symptoms-in either of the treatment settings. Patients with a late onset first depressive episode are more often women and are clinically characterised by more severe depressions and a higher prevalence of psychosis than patients with early onset.
It is unclear whether patients with late onset and patients with early onset present with different subtypes of depression. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of subtypes of ICD-10 single depressive episodes for patients with late onset (age >65 years) and patient with early onset (age 65 years) in a nationwide sample of all patients discharged from psychiatric in- or outpatient settings. All patients who got a diagnosis of a single depressive episode in a period from 1994-2002 at the end of the first outpatient treatment or at the first discharge from psychiatric hospitalisation ever in Denmark were identified in a nationwide register. In total, 18.192 patients were given a diagnosis of a single depressive episode at the first outpatient contact and 8.396 patients were given a diagnosis of a single depressive episode at the first psychiatric hospitalisation ever. Patients with late onset were more often women, more often presented with a severe depressive episode and more often with psychosis than patients with early onset, in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. No differences were found between patients with late and patients with early onset in the prevalence of depression with or without melancholic symptoms-in either of the treatment settings. Patients with a late onset first depressive episode are more often women and are clinically characterised by more severe depressions and a higher prevalence of psychosis than patients with early onset.
Aging and Mental Health, 14(6), August 2010, pp.670-678.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
The prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in recently bereaved older people and whether the loss of a spouse in old age can lead to PTSD was investigated. 276 bereaved older people (mean age 73 years) from the county of Aarhus in Denmark, contacted two months after bereavement, agreed to participate. The results from this group were compared with a control group of 276 married older people. Prevalence of PTSD and depression was measured through a self-report questionnaire. The results indicated that older bereaved people in the sample were four times more likely to have PTSD than those who were still married. The author concludes that this demonstrates that late life bereavement is a traumatic experience for some, and discusses the results
The prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in recently bereaved older people and whether the loss of a spouse in old age can lead to PTSD was investigated. 276 bereaved older people (mean age 73 years) from the county of Aarhus in Denmark, contacted two months after bereavement, agreed to participate. The results from this group were compared with a control group of 276 married older people. Prevalence of PTSD and depression was measured through a self-report questionnaire. The results indicated that older bereaved people in the sample were four times more likely to have PTSD than those who were still married. The author concludes that this demonstrates that late life bereavement is a traumatic experience for some, and discusses the results and their implications.
Subject terms:
older people, partners, post traumatic stress disorder, bereavement, depression;
In order to assess whether of an early psychosocial counselling and support programme prevented the emergence of depression symptoms for outpatients mild Alzheimer’s disease, 330 patients and their 330 caregivers were randomised to control support during follow-up or to control support plus DAISY intervention. The DAISY intervention involved counselling, education and support. Results found focusing on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and comorbid depression.
In order to assess whether of an early psychosocial counselling and support programme prevented the emergence of depression symptoms for outpatients mild Alzheimer’s disease, 330 patients and their 330 caregivers were randomised to control support during follow-up or to control support plus DAISY intervention. The DAISY intervention involved counselling, education and support. Results found that the DAISY intervention with counselling, education, and support for patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and their carers did not have any significant effect beyond that with well structured follow-up support at 12 months after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The small positive effect found in the unadjusted primary outcome addressing depressive symptoms in patients may call for further research focusing on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and comorbid depression.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(5), May 2003, pp.392-401.
Publisher:
Wiley
Under-treatment of depression in late-life is a subject of rising public health concern throughout Europe. This study investigates and compares the availability of services for depressed elderly persons in Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Additionally, it explores factors that might contribute to an adequate services supply for depressed elderly people. Review in treating depression in late-life is not regularly acquired in the vocational training of the concerned professionals. Indicators suggest that the medical society and health politics in Switzerland and the UK regard psychiatric disease in the elderly more importantly than it is the case in the other investigated countries. Service provision for depressed elderly persons seems to be more elaborated
Under-treatment of depression in late-life is a subject of rising public health concern throughout Europe. This study investigates and compares the availability of services for depressed elderly persons in Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Additionally, it explores factors that might contribute to an adequate services supply for depressed elderly people. Review of the literature and guide supported expert interviews. Analysis of the practice of care provision for depressed elderly persons and of indicators for political and professional awareness, such as university chairs, certification processes and political programmes in gerontopsychiatry. Only Switzerland and the UK offer countrywide community-oriented services for depressed elderly persons. Clinical experience in treating depression in late-life is not regularly acquired in the vocational training of the concerned professionals. Indicators suggest that the medical society and health politics in Switzerland and the UK regard psychiatric disease in the elderly more importantly than it is the case in the other investigated countries. Service provision for depressed elderly persons seems to be more elaborated and better available in countries where gerontopsychiatry is institutionalised to a greater extend in the medical society and health politics.
Subject terms:
literature reviews, mental health problems, older people, community mental health services, comparative studies, depression;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
British Journal of Psychiatry, 186(5), May 2005, pp.400-403.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Two British cohort studies have reported birth weight to be associated with self-reported depression in adulthood, even after adjustment for socio-economic factors. The aim was to examine the relationship between birth dimensions and discharge from a psychiatric ward with a depression diagnosis in adulthood. A cohort of 10,753 male singletons born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1953 and for whom birth certificates had been traced in 1965 were followed from 1969 until 2002, with record linkage for date of first admission to a psychiatric ward that led to a discharge diagnosis of depression. A total of 190 men, corresponding to 1.8% of the cohort, had a discharge diagnosis of depression. The Cox’s regression analyses failed to show any association between birth dimensions (birth weight and ponderal index) and risk of psychiatric ward diagnosis of depression in adult life, before or after adjustment for social indicators at birth.
Two British cohort studies have reported birth weight to be associated with self-reported depression in adulthood, even after adjustment for socio-economic factors. The aim was to examine the relationship between birth dimensions and discharge from a psychiatric ward with a depression diagnosis in adulthood. A cohort of 10,753 male singletons born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1953 and for whom birth certificates had been traced in 1965 were followed from 1969 until 2002, with record linkage for date of first admission to a psychiatric ward that led to a discharge diagnosis of depression. A total of 190 men, corresponding to 1.8% of the cohort, had a discharge diagnosis of depression. The Cox’s regression analyses failed to show any association between birth dimensions (birth weight and ponderal index) and risk of psychiatric ward diagnosis of depression in adult life, before or after adjustment for social indicators at birth.
HOYER Eyd Hansen, MORTENSEN Preben Bo, OLESEN Anne V.
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, January 2000, pp.76-82.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
This Danish study describes the pattern of mortality in patients with affective disorder and to study changes in suicide risk during the study period. Mortality from all natural and unnatural causes was elevated in all subgroups of affective disorder. More attention should be paid to the risk of suicide and physical illness in patients with affective disorders.
This Danish study describes the pattern of mortality in patients with affective disorder and to study changes in suicide risk during the study period. Mortality from all natural and unnatural causes was elevated in all subgroups of affective disorder. More attention should be paid to the risk of suicide and physical illness in patients with affective disorders.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mortality, risk, severe mental health problems, suicide, statistical methods, assessment, death, depression, health;