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Abstract An 8‐year‐long longitudinal study of elderly people in Botany (Sydney) has provided data on the prevalence, incidence and outcome of cognitive impairment and depression in this population. In 1985, a random sample of 146 persons aged 65 years or more, living in their own homes, were assessed using the Brief Assessment Schedule, depression ratings and cognitive tests. Follow‐up interviews were conducted after 2, 4, 6 and 8 years. Data from separate hostel and nursing home studies were used when estimating prevalence rates. The estimated prevalence and annual incidence of definite dementia in Botany were, respectively, 14% (3.5% severe) and 2.5%. Among elderly people living at home the prevalence of definite dementia was 11%; 23% of our community sample suffered dementia during the 8 years. The prevalence and minimum annual incidence of depressive disorders were, respectively, 12.5% and 2.0%. Among those living at home the prevalence was 12.3%. Dementia was associated with a high mortality rate, but the apparently increased mortality of depressed subjects did not reach significance, probably because numbers were relatively small; a high proportion of the deceased had comorbid cognitive impairment. Some depressions eventually remitted.
Snowdon et al. (Mon,) studied this question.