Depression in elderly physically ill inpatients: A 12‐month prospective study

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Abstract
A 12‐month prospective study of a randomly selected group of acute geriatric medical inpatients was carried out. Twenty‐three of the original sample of 72 were diagnosed as cases of depression on entry into the study and commenced on treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg mane. Follow‐up at 3 months showed a significantly increased death rate in the depressed group (p < 0.05) which was reversed in those surviving to 12 months, this trend to a lower mortality not reaching significance. Two patients did not continue their antidepressants after leaving hospital and remained depressed at 3‐month follow‐up. The effect of treatment versus no treatment was significant (p < 0.03). The incidence of depression in the psychologically well group was 14% over the 12‐month period, understandably high when seen in the context of their continuing physical problems. None of the treated depressed group relapsed during the study period.