Cost-effectiveness of Improving Primary Care Treatment of Late-Life Depression

Abstract
Major depression and dysthymia are common in older patients, particularly those with chronic medical illness.1 Late-life depression is associated with an increased burden of physical symptoms2 and functional impairment.3 Depression also impairs one’s ability to adhere to self-management regimens (diet, exercise, quitting smoking, taking medication regularly), potentially worsening the course of chronic medical illness.4,5 Finally, late-life depression has been associated with significant increases in health care costs, even after adjusting for severity of comorbid medical illnesses.6,7