Outcome of depression in demented and non‐demented elderly: Observations from a three‐year follow‐up in a community‐based study

In the Kungsholmen project, a longitudinal study of a total population, samples of non‐demented and demented elderly persons with a depressive disorder were followed over 3 years. Of 668 persons who received a full medical examination, 62 were found to have a depressive disorder. Of these, 28 were demented and 34 non‐demented. Two‐thirds of the 62 had not been previously recognized as having a depressive disorder. There was no difference in this regard between the demented and non‐demented samples. After 3 years, only two out of 20 non‐demented cases had recovered from their depressive disorder. This is in contrast to the demented cases, where only one of 11 were still depressed. These results indicate the need for greater attention to the recognition and management of depressive disorders in the elderly.