Depression and Mortality in Elders Referred for Geriatric Psychiatry Consultation

Donald R. Royall, Jason E. Schillerstrom, Paul K. Piper, Laura K. Chiodo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The association between depressive symptoms and mortality was assessed in a 7-year longitudinal follow-up of subjects referred for geropsychiatric consultation. Methods: The medical records of 89 referrals were reviewed. Survival analysis was performed on subjects stratified by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and residential status. Results: Fifty percent of subjects with GDS > 6 (n = 28) died by 19 months versus 54 months for subjects with GDS < 7 (n = 61) (χ2 = 13.2, df = 1, P < .001). GDS, medical burden, age, and gender were independently associated with survival. Conclusions: GDS scores greater than 6 are associated with increased risk of mortality in elders referred for geropsychiatric consultation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-321
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2007

Keywords

  • Depression
  • elders
  • longitudinal cohort
  • mortality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Health Policy
  • General Nursing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Depression and Mortality in Elders Referred for Geriatric Psychiatry Consultation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this