J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1997; 9:208-221
Copyright © 1997 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Recurrence and relapse in geriatric depression: a review of risk factors and prophylactic treatment strategies
A Stoudemire
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
An emerging body of epidemiologic data has substantiated that in younger
and middle-aged populations, major depression may be characterized by early
relapse, recurrence, and chronicity. Information regarding the prognosis of
geriatric depression is less extensive. This article reviews the literature
on the longitudinal outcome of major depression in older adults, with
particular emphasis on the limited data on strategies for the pharmacologic
and electroconvulsive prophylaxis of recurrent unipolar geriatric
depression. Possible biological markers for relapse risk, derived from
sleep electroencephalography, neuroendocrine tests, and neuroradiographic
findings, are also discussed. Recommendations for the treatment and
long-term follow-up of geriatric depression are presented.
