Clinical characteristics of resistant depression in the elderly

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Abstract
The case notes of 30 patients who had responded to treatment for a depressive episode and 29 patients who were considered to be resistant to treatment were examined retrospectively. ‘Treatment resistance’ was associated with an onset of depression before the age of 50, the presence of hypochondrical features and the presence of cognitive impairment. Those patients considered to be resistant to treatment were also significantly less likely to be given ECT, more likely to be taking benzodiazepines and to spend significantly more time in hospital. These findings are discussed.