Depression in an Elderly Clinic Population: Findings from an Ambulatory Care Setting

Findings of a study of depression in an elderly hospital-based clinic population indicate that over 50% of older adults seen in specialty (psychiatric) clinics had a depressive diagnosis, but less than 2% of the elders seen in nonspecialty (medical) clinics were diagnosed with depression. Depressed patients in nonspecialty clinics had significantly more neurologic, respiratory and gastrointestinal comorbid conditions, nonpsychotropic medications, medical clinic visits, and medical hospitalizations than those elders treated for depression in the specialty clinic. Management of depression differed in type of provider and use of psychotherapy. However, there were no differences in the frequency, class, and specific type of psychotropic medications used in both clinic types.