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Study Finds Rise in Major Depressive Episodes, but Not Treatment, in Older Adults
The estimated prevalence of a major depressive episode among older US adults increased 60% between 2010-2011 and 2018-2019, according to study results published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
“Although the estimated prevalence of depression is increasing among older adults, there has not been a proportional increase in mental health treatment among those with depression,” wrote corresponding author Kevin H. Yang, MD, of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, and coauthors.
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The study evaluated data for 31,502 noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 or older from the 2010–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Researchers were interested in trends in the prevalence of past-year major depressive episodes as well as in mental health treatment.
Between 2010-2011 and 2018-2019, the prevalence of a major depressive episode among older adults rose 60%, researchers estimated, from 2.0% to 3.2%. By demographic characteristics, major depressive episode increases were detected among men, White individuals, widowed individuals, individuals with an annual household income below $49,000, and individuals with some college, according to the study.
However, researchers observed no significant change in any form of mental health treatment among those with a major depressive episode in the past year.
Because the study did not include people who were institutionalized, incarcerated, or experiencing homelessness, the prevalence of major depressive episodes in older adults may be higher than the reported estimates, researchers pointed out.
“These findings call for urgent expansion of treatment services and training of mental health professionals with expertise in older adults to meet the needs of this growing, vulnerable population,” the authors advised.
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