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Depression in late life: review and commentary.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Blazer, DG
Published in: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
March 2003

Depression is perhaps the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life and significantly decreases quality of life in older adults. In recent years, the literature on late-life depression has exploded. Many gaps in our understanding of the outcome of late-life depression have been filled. Intriguing findings have emerged regarding the etiology of late-onset depression. The number of studies documenting the evidence base for therapy has increased dramatically. Here, I first address case definition, and then I review the current community- and clinic-based epidemiological studies. Next I address the outcome of late-life depression, including morbidity and mortality studies. Then I present the extant evidence regarding the etiology of depression in late life from a biopsychosocial perspective. Finally, I present evidence for the current therapies prescribed for depressed elders, ranging from medications to group therapy.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

ISSN

1079-5006

Publication Date

March 2003

Volume

58

Issue

3

Start / End Page

249 / 265

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Depression
  • Aged
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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Blazer, D. G. (2003). Depression in late life: review and commentary. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 58(3), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/58.3.m249
Blazer, Dan G. “Depression in late life: review and commentary.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 58, no. 3 (March 2003): 249–65. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/58.3.m249.
Blazer DG. Depression in late life: review and commentary. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Mar;58(3):249–65.
Blazer, Dan G. “Depression in late life: review and commentary.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, vol. 58, no. 3, Mar. 2003, pp. 249–65. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/gerona/58.3.m249.
Blazer DG. Depression in late life: review and commentary. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Mar;58(3):249–265.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

ISSN

1079-5006

Publication Date

March 2003

Volume

58

Issue

3

Start / End Page

249 / 265

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Depression
  • Aged
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences