| Title | Late-life depression among black and white elderly homecare patients. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2004 |
| Authors | Fyffe DC, Sirey JAnne, Heo M, Bruce ML |
| Journal | Am J Geriatr Psychiatry |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pagination | 531-5 |
| Date Published | 2004 Sep-Oct |
| ISSN | 1064-7481 |
| Keywords | African Continental Ancestry Group, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Depressive Disorder, Major, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, European Continental Ancestry Group, Female, Home Care Services, Humans, Male, Prevalence |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the prescription rates of antidepressant medication, by race, among frail, older homecare patients. METHODS: A random sample of 56 black and 458 white newly admitted homecare patients age 65 and over was assessed for MDD with structured interviews and medical records, and antidepressant prescription rates were tallied. RESULTS: The prevalence of MDD did not differ significantly across racial groups. Only 16.7% of black patients and 32.0% of white patients were prescribed antidepressant medication. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of MDD was similar among black and white elderly homecare patients. In both groups, depression is undertreated and contributes to the burden of this frail, older patient group. |
| DOI | 10.1176/appi.ajgp.12.5.531 |
| Alternate Journal | Am J Geriatr Psychiatry |
| PubMed ID | 15353393 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC4374604 |
| Grant List | T32 MH19132 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States R01 MH56482 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States K02 MH01634 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States R24 MH064608 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States R24 MH64608 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States T32 MH019132 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States |