Citation

Van Damme A, Declercq T, Lemey L, Tandt H, Petrovic M. Int. J. Gen. Med. 2018; 11: 113-120.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/IJGM.S154876

PMID

29636629

PMCID

PMC5880181

Abstract

Late-life depression (LLD) is both a prevalent and life-threatening disorder, affecting up to 13.3% of the elderly population. LLD can be difficult to identify because patients mainly consult their general practitioner (GP) for somatic complaints. Moreover, patients may be hesitant to express the problem to their GP. Increased vigilance on the part of the GP can only benefit older people with depression. To recognize the risk of LLD, screening tools are provided in addition to treatment options for LLD. This review aims to provide the GP with guidance in recognizing and treating LLD. It tries to connect mainstream etiologies of LLD (e.g., vascular, inflammation, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis) with risk factors and current therapies. Therefore, we provide a basis to the GP for decision-making when choosing an appropriate therapy for LLD.

Language: en

Keywords

elder care; geriatric mental health; geriatric psychiatry; major depressive disorder; psychosomatic