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Depression is a Health Risk for Seniors
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Seniors suffering from "the blues" may have to work harder to stay healthy, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.*
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh asked more than 5000 people over age 65 to complete a health assessment questionnaire designed to detect signs of depression. They then kept track of the study participants for six years, documenting who in the group died during this time.
The researchers report that depression appeared to make a difference 24% of study participants who admitted to feeling depressed died during the study, as compared with 17% of those without symptoms of depression.
Scientists are not sure why depression adds such a significant health burden, but they say that depressed people may be less able than others to keep up with protective health habits (such as taking their high blood pressure medicine). It is also possible that chronic depression has a harmful effect on the body's immune system, making depressed people less able to fight off illness.
The authors of this study point out that even mild or moderate depression seems to interfere with a person's ability to stay physically well. They emphasize that there are effective behavioral and medical treatment options open to people who suffer from depression and they urge healthcare providers to screen their older patients for signs of this potentially debilitating condition.
* "Association between depression and mortality in older adults," by R Schulz, et al. Archives of Internal Medicine, June 26, 2000, Volume 160, pp 1761-1768.
by Jean Baker, MS, RD
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