engleski

Depression, dementia and delirium - continuum or comorbidity

The World population is becoming older and proportion of people older than 65 years is growing significantly. In some developed countries, till year 2050, almost 1/3 of people will be among elderly, what will change the morbidity. Although depression usually occur earlier in life span it will also be present among older people, together with dementia which will (often) be complicated with delirium superimposed on dementia. Depression and dementia are both recognised by World Health organisation as a public health priorities due to the impact on whole society. Depression starts usually in younger population, is pretty common, more affecting women, mostly recoverable disorder, but usually recurrent, and not rare in elderly. Dementia, is more common as people are older, more manifest in women, mostly not treatable, progressive. Delirium is present in many cases of dementia and lead to hospitalisation, low quality of life and may be fatal. Although depression, dementia and delirium as separate disorders may not be connected and be comorbid, in many occasions it is obvious that depression proceed dementia and delirium appears after, so this "3D continuum" may be observed.

depression ; dementia ; delirium ; continuum ; comorbidity

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