Naslov
Late life depression : challenge or curse for the general practitioner (GP). A cohort study
(Late life depression: challenge or curse for the general practitioner (GP). A cohort study)

Autori
Stojanović-Špehar, Stanislava ; Ozretić, Luka ; Blažeković-Milaković, Sanja ; Bergman-Marković, Biserka

Izvornik
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (0167-4943) 52 (2011), 3; E134-E139

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Depression in elderly; Primary care; Pharmacotherapy; Psychotherapy

Sažetak
The aim of this study was to examine specificity of GP’s care for elderly depressed patients. Among 17, 000 examinees (10 GP- Offices) were extracted 231 patients with diagnosis of depressive episode (F32) and 152 with diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder (F33) classified acording to ICD-10. Older than 65 years were 134 depressed patients. Data were tracked longitudinally and obtained retrospectively for a one-year period from 1st January to 31th December 2008. Questionnaire was designed for this study to estimate the care delivered to depressed patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that GP more often diagnosed depression in older patients, provided medical care for them and changed their therapy. The main therapy for up to 80% of elderly with diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder was combination of pharmacotherapy and GP’s support and psychiatrist psychotherapy, while more than 20% of elderly with diagnosis of depressive episode took only pharmacotherapy. In comparison with younger age group, elderly less frequently received psychotherapy and GP’s support. GP has an important role in older depressed patient care, so improvement efforts could focus on GP’s clinical skills of depression treatment, as well as therapy effectiveness and depression outcome for understanding treatment specificity within elderly.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA