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. 1999 Apr:174:312-21.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.174.4.312.

Depression in Europe. Geographical distribution among older people

J R Copeland  1 , A T Beekman, M E Dewey, C Hooijer, A Jordan, B A Lawlor, A Lobo, H Magnusson, A H Mann, I Meller, M J Prince, F Reischies, C Turrina, M W deVries, K C Wilson
Affiliations

Depression in Europe. Geographical distribution among older people

J R Copeland et al. Br J Psychiatry. 1999 Apr.

Abstract

Background: This is the first report of results from the EURODEP Programme.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of depression judged suitable for intervention in randomised samples of those aged > or = 65 in nine European centres.

Method: The GMS-AGECAT package.

Results: Differences in prevalence are apparent, 8.8% (Iceland) to 236% (Munich). When sub-cases and cases are added together, five high- and four low-scoring centres emerge. Women predominated over men. Proportions of sub-cases to cases revealed striking differences but did not explain prevalence. There was no constant association between prevalence and age. A meta-analysis (n = 13,808) gave an overall prevalence of 12.3%, 14.1% for women and 8.6% for men.

Conclusions: Considerable variation occurs in the levels of depression across Europe, the cause for which is not immediately obvious. Case and sub-case levels taken together show greater variability, suggesting that it is not a matter of case/sub-case selection criteria, which were standardised by computer. Substantial levels of depression are shown but 62-82% of persons had no depressive level. Opportunities for treatment exist.

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Comment in

  • EURODEP study.
    MacDonald AJ. MacDonald AJ. Br J Psychiatry. 1999 Sep;175:290. doi: 10.1192/bjp.175.3.290b. Br J Psychiatry. 1999. PMID: 10645341 No abstract available.

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