Key result
Incident depression in very old men was associated with an increased risk of mortality, whereas change in depressive status was not associated with mortality in women.
Why the study?
Does change in depressive status affect mortality risk differently in very old men and women?
Cohort (n=1,947)
Does change in depressive status affect mortality risk differently in very old men and women?
Incident depression in very old men is an independent risk factor for mortality, highlighting the importance of monitoring the course of depressive illness in this demographic.
Incident depression may warrant monitoring in very old men; leaves open causal mechanisms and sex-specific interventions.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether gender and different patterns of change in depressive status over 2 years were associated with different risks of mortality in the subsequent 6 years. METHODS: Depression (CES-D) was assessed in 1947 participants in 1992 and a smaller proportion of the sample in 1994. The mortality risk at July 30, 2000, associated with depression and change in depression was estimated using proportional hazards models. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic variables, smoking, alcohol, and medical conditions, depression was associated with mortality for men but not women. In men, incident depression was associated with mortality after controlling for all other variables. Chronic depression and remitted depression were also associated with mortality, but this effect was explained by medical conditions. In women, change in depressive status was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Depression confers a greater risk of mortality for men than women with incident depression in old age representing the greatest risk for men. The course of depressive illness must be considered when evaluating mortality risk.
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Kaarin J. Anstey (2002) conducted a cohort in Depression (n=1,947). Depression and change in depressive status vs. No depression or stable depressive status was evaluated on Mortality. Incident depression in very old men was associated with an increased risk of mortality, whereas change in depressive status was not associated with mortality in women.
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