The natural history of mental disorder in old age. A long-term study

The value of ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography in predicting antidepressant treatment response in patients with major depression

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the reversal of compromised regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in older patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is dependent on specific parameters of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment and to examine the efficacy of such treatment.

METHODS

Forty-five patients with moderate MDD were studied following 8 weeks of treatment with SSRIs. Twelve patients displayed a positive response to SSRIs, whereas 33 patients did not respond to SSRI treatment. A comparison group of 30 healthy volunteers was also studied. The age of all participants was greater than 50 years. Age, gender, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores were examined. The rCBF was assessed using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography after SSRI treatment.

RESULTS

The rCBF levels in the right middle frontal cortex in non-responsive MDD patients were lower compared with responsive MDD patients. Compared with healthy controls, non-responders had significantly lower rCBF levels in the bilateral middle frontal cortex and insula and had significantly higher rCBF levels in the bilateral inferior frontal cortex and left middle temporal cortex. Compared with healthy controls, responders had significantly higher rCBF levels in the left inferior frontal, middle temporal, precentral, and fusiform gyrus. We found no changes in single photon emission computed tomography between pre-treatment and post-treatment stages for the responders to SSRI treatment.

CONCLUSION

Hypoperfusion in older, non-responsive MDD patients was primarily localized in the middle frontal cortex. It is possible that the responders to SSRI treatment at baseline already displayed higher rCBF values in the frontal regions.

Reality orientation therapy to delay outcomes of progression in patients with dementia. A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of continued Reality Orientation Therapy (ROT) in delaying the outcomes of dementia progression.

DESIGN

Retrospective study. Data collection was based on review of clinical charts and on telephone interviews performed with patients or primary caregivers.

SETTING

Day hospital of the Alzheimer's Disease Unit, Brescia (Italy).

SUBJECTS

Seventy-four patients enrolled in at least one cycle of ROT from 1994 to 1998 were studied.

INTERVENTIONS

Rehabilitative intervention based on formal ROT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This study analysed the time to the occurrence of any of the following: cognitive decline on Mini-Mental State Examination scores, urinary incontinence as an index of functional decline, institutionalization, and death.

RESULTS

Data on a 30-month period after the first ROT session were analysed. We compared 46 patients (treatment group) who completed from 2 to 10 ROT cycles (corresponding to 8-40 weeks of training; mean = 15.48) with 28 patients (control group) who completed only one ROT cycle (4 weeks). Treatment group showed higher estimated survival rates than control group on cognitive decline (p = 0.022) and institutionalization (p = 0.002). The relative risks for cognitive decline and institutionalization in the control group compared with treatment group were 0.60 (p = 0.014), and 0.42 (p = 0.021), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued ROT classes during the early to middle stages of dementia may delay nursing home placement and slow down the progression of cognitive decline.

Best practice in psychogeriatric care

This paper presents a best practice model for psychogeriatric care. Best practice is becoming one of the most common expressions used in the area of health care, and is often referred to in government reports and documents. The definition of 'best practice', however, is still evolving. What then, is best practice? And how can the principles of best practice be applied and integrated into the clinical speciality of psychogeriatrics? The article emphasizes the importance of evidence-based interventions and the need to focus on the pragmatic aspects of providing best practice in the clinical area of psychogeriatrics; that is, what works best in practice? The position taken by the authors of this paper is that the conceptualization of a best practice model in psychogeriatrics is necessary in order to describe and explain the different components involved in the service provided. This conceptualization also communicates and articulates the role of the major stakeholders, and the key players in the achievement of best practice. A psychogeriatric service may become more coherent, more goal-orientated and more efficient if a model is utilized. This paper outlines a proposed model of best practice in psychogeriatrics, and discusses the potential implications for achieving desirable clinical outcomes.

Mortality and depressive symptoms in inhabitants of residential homes

It has been hypothesised that there is a relationship between depression and mortality rate. Some earlier studies have confirmed this relationship, but others have not. In the present study the association was examined between depressive symptoms and mortality in the inhabitants of ten residential homes for the elderly in The Netherlands. Four hundred and twenty-four subjects who were not cognitively impaired, and who participated in an intervention study, were included. One year after the initial interview, they were contacted again and it was found that 69 (16.3%) had died. In the initial interview, depressive symptoms and psychological distress were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale and the mental health subscale of the MOS-SF-20. The following correlates of depression were assessed: functional impairment, earlier depression, pain, social support, loneliness, and the presence of seven common chronic illnesses. In bivariate analyses no significant relationship was found between depression and mortality, while controlling for living in an experimental or control home. In logistic regression analyses with mortality as the dependent variable and depressive symptoms, demographic variables, and correlates of depression as predictors, no significant relationship between depression and mortality was found either. It is concluded that no evidence was found in this population for a significant relationship between depression and mortality. Mortality was related to measures of social support, to activities of daily living, and to the presence of chronic non-specific lung disease.

Gender differences in survival of 234 patients referred to a psychogeriatric service

OBJECTIVE

To explore the survival characteristics of psychogeriatric patients. Participants and settingAn historical cohort of 234 patients consecutively referred to a specialized psychogeriatric service proximal to a general health service in Perth, Western Australia.

METHODS

Linked health service data were analysed using relative survival analysis and actuarial methods.

RESULTS

Relative survival of the cohort after 40 months was significantly lower than the general population of the same age, sex and calendar period (0.78; 95% CI=0.70-0.86). Male patients experienced twice the mortality rate of female patients after adjustment for age (MRR=2.10; 95% CI=1.37-3.20). Age, dementia, mood disorder and ethnicity had no independent effects on mortality in male patients. Female patients with a diagnosis of dementia experienced twice the mortality of female patients without this diagnosis. The distribution of major underlying causes of death was similar in males and females.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender-specific factors appear to affect survival in psychogeriatric patients. Male patients are younger on average, but experience higher mortality than female patients. Ethnic background does not influence mortality in either male or female patients.

Follow-up study of depression in the elderly. Clinical and SPECT data

BACKGROUND

Imaging studies in depression of the elderly are often small and highly selective.

AIMS

To investigate a large group of elderly depressed patients in order to assess changes in clinical, imaging and neuropsychological variables at follow-up.

METHOD

Patients (n = 175, age range 65-91 years) with clinical depression were identified from consecutive local referrals. Clinical interviews, neuropsychological tests and SPECT scans were carried out at referral and at two-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 84 re-examined patients, 46.5% were well, 9.5% were ill, 33% partially recovered and 11% had developed dementia. Duration of illness before index assessment was the only factor to predict outcome. Thirty-nine patients could be scanned and followed up. There were no differences between patients with good or poor depressive outcome on SPECT. Ten clinically improved patients could be re-examined with SPECT. There were relative increases in right cingulate gyrus and right cerebellum at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients group was comparable with other studies showing high levels of residual depressive symptoms. Activity changes in limbic cortex are implicated in depression of old age.

The natural history of mental disorder in old age: Alzheimer's disease and depressive illness compared

BACKGROUND

Depressive illness (DI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are important causes of morbidity in old age and the relationships between these two disorders are uncertain.

METHOD

In a prospective, descriptive, comparative study of consecutive referrals aged over 65 years to one consultant, 218 patients with AD and 280 patients with DI were followed up for 15 years.

RESULTS

The prognosis of DI uncomplicated by physical illness at referral was reasonably good and 5-year survival was double that of AD. The rate of occurrence of AD in DI is no greater than in the general population. The higher mortality from cancer in DI than in AD is unexplained but may relate to differences in aetiology of these two disorders.

CONCLUSION

Although their symptoms frequently overlap, AD and DI are distinct disorders with very different prognoses and accurate diagnosis may have important implications for appropriate treatment.

Suicide as an outcome for mental disorders. A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Mental disorders have a strong association with suicide. This meta-analysis, or statistical overview, of the literature gives an estimate of the suicide risk of the common mental disorders.

METHOD

We searched the medical literature to find reports on the mortality of mental disorders. English language reports were located on MEDLINE (1966-1993) with the search terms mental disorders', 'brain injury', 'eating disorders', 'epilepsy', 'suicide attempt', 'psychosurgery', with 'mortality' and 'follow-up studies', and from the reference lists of these reports. We abstracted 249 reports with two years or more follow-up and less than 10% loss of subjects, and compared observed numbers of suicides with those expected. A standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated for each disorder.

RESULTS

Of 44 disorders considered, 36 have a significantly raised SMR for suicide, five have a raised SMR which fails to reach significance, one SMR is not raised and for two entries the SMR could not be calculated.

CONCLUSIONS

If these results can be generalised then virtually all mental disorders have an increased risk of suicide excepting mental retardation and dementia. The suicide risk is highest for functional and lowest for organic disorders with substance misuse disorders lying between. However, within these broad groupings the suicide risk varies widely.

Does age predict the long-term outcome of depression treated with ECT? (a prospective study of the long-term outcome of ECT-treated depression with respect to age)

Sixty-three subjects with DSM-III-R major depression with melancholia or psychosis were followed up 2-4 years after index treatment with electroconvulsive therapy. There was a twofold increase in likelihood of improved outcome with an additional 20 years of age.

Effect of age on the outcome of hospital treated depression

BACKGROUND

Depression affects a significant proportion of the expanding elderly population in the UK. Reports of a poorer prognosis for older than for younger adult patients have been challenged by recent papers.

METHOD

The casenotes of 56 adults (mean age 47.8 years) and 54 elderly (mean age 72.9 years) patients with primary depression were assessed one year after receiving hospital treatment. Outcome measures were compared with earlier reported findings and factors possibly influencing outcome were explored.

RESULTS

The pattern of outcome in both age groups was broadly similar, thus: adults v. elderly: recovered 44.6% v. 44.4%; relapsed and recovered 23.2% v. 24%; residual symptoms 19.6% v. 13% and chronic depression 7.1% v. 5.5%. In the adults there were two natural deaths and one suicide. In the elderly there were two cases of dementia and five natural deaths, which was double the expected death rate. Predictors of poor outcome were melancholic depression in adults and longer duration of illness at intake and an increasing number of previous episodes of affective disorder in the elderly.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of treated depressive illnesses appears similar in elderly and adult patients. Associated physical ill health did not adversely affect outcome in the elderly group.

Excess mortality among elderly psychiatric in-patients with organic mental disorder

BACKGROUND

Many studies have shown hospitalised mentally ill patients to have a higher mortality risk than the general population.

METHOD

Data of patients with organic mental disorders of ICD-9 categories 290, 293, 294 and 310 from seven psychiatric hospitals with defined catchment areas were analysed. During an observation period of 2.5 years 1821 treatment periods in these diagnostic categories were recorded.

RESULTS

During hospitalisation 137 patients died from natural causes. The age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates show an increased mortality risk of 7.5 times, compared to the general population. The odds ratio of a logistic regression demonstrate the overwhelming influence of the medical diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Medical factors, including pneumonias, contribute most to the excess mortality.

Progression and outcome of patients in a Canadian dementia clinic

Five hundred and fifty-three patients were referred to a Canadian dementia clinic for standardized evaluation. The majority (83.5%) had a dementia with Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounting for 89% of dementias. Patients with probable AD who were followed for five years had variable rates of progression, increased mortality (37.1%, 2.5 times the expected rate) and a high rate of institutionalization (79%). Simple demographic (age) and social factors (marital status) were strong predictors for institutionalization. It was extremely difficult at presentation to predict the rate of progression. The prevalence of AD in autopsied cases was 62.5%. Clinic patients were younger, had milder dementias, and were more likely to have AD than patients identified in the course of a contemporaneous population-based dementia prevalence study.

Prognosis of depression in the elderly. A comparison with younger patients

The prognosis of depression in the elderly was investigated in a mixed-age sample of 242 consecutive referrals, with DSM-III defined unipolar major depressive episode, to a specialist unit for mood disorders. Subjects were followed up at about 1 and 3.8 years. There was no significant difference in outcome between younger (under 40 years), middle aged (40-59 years) and older (60 years or more) depressed patients. For the 61 elderly subjects with depression, prognosis improved with time, with 25% having a lasting recovery at the first and 41% at the second follow-up. Early onset, recurrence, and poor premorbid personality were associated with a worse prognosis. Three (5%) elderly depressives had committed suicide and seven (11%) had died from natural causes by the second follow-up. Despite some methodological limitations, our findings suggest a more optimistic outlook and the need for longer, more assertive treatment for elderly, depressed patients.

A community-based study of survival in dementia

The objective of this study was to compare the mortality rate of demented and nondemented subjects in a single cohort. We followed up a cohort of subjects comprising all 1259 inhabitants of Leiden aged 85 years and over, evaluated earlier for the presence of dementia, and including institutionalized subjects. The main outcome measure was the mortality rate ratio of the demented and nondemented groups adjusted for age and sex. The mortality rate ratio of the demented vs the nondemented group was 1.9 (95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.2). No difference in mortality rate was found between those with mild vs moderate to severe dementia. The mortality rate in dementia patients is higher than in nondemented subjects.

The natural history of neurotic disorder in an elderly urban population. Findings from the Liverpool longitudinal study of continuing health in the community

A random community sample of 1070 subjects aged 65 years and over was interviewed at home using the GMS-AGECAT package and followed up three years later. Neurotic symptoms were common, but symptoms sufficient to reach 'case' level were much less frequent. The overall prevalence of neurotic 'cases' was 2.4% in year 0 and 1.4% in year 3. The incidence was estimated as a minimum of 4.4 per 1000 per year over the age of 65. Women were more likely to be 'cases' than men but not 'subcases', and there was a general decline in prevalence with increasing age, particularly for 'subcases'. Anxiety was the commonest neurotic subtype. After three years, 'cases' were shown not to persist, but this did not reflect wellness. There was a tendency still to have some symptoms, but the predominant symptom appeared to change, suggesting a possible chronic neurotic disorder with changing presentation over time. Depressive symptoms were closely associated with this presentation, suggesting that depression may be an important and integral part of a general, changing neurotic disorder.

Prognosis of depression in the elderly

Fifty-six consecutively admitted elderly (65 and over) patients with depression were assessed on mental, physical and social states. They were followed up and assessed at home one year later. A group of 24 depressed in-patients aged under 65 years admitted to the same ward during the same period was also assessed. Outcome was different for the two groups, with 68% of the elderly 'well' at one year, against 50% of the younger group. The younger group were more likely to have 'poor' outcome (41%) than the elderly (16%). However, there were more deaths than expected, particularly in the elderly. These findings differ from some previous studies, and indicate an excellent prognosis for depression in the elderly. Outcome in younger patients is less good.

Survival of patients with dementia

The evidence on survival in dementia is summarized. There are no reliable data on survival after onset of dementia or after first contact with medical services. People with dementia in outpatient clinics and nursing homes have 2-year survival rates of 75% (range 60%-95%) and 50% (range 30%-65%), respectively. Differences in survival between patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT) and multi infarct dementia (MID) are small. Women in nursing homes have a better prognosis than men (2-year survival rates, 60% vs 40%). Dementia patients have a considerable excess mortality when compared to the vital statistics. There is no evidence for improvement of survival rates during recent decades. Recommendations for future studies are made.