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. 1999 Nov:175:439-43.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.175.5.439.

Natural history of pharmacotherapy of older depressed community residents. The MRC-ALPHA Study

K C Wilson  1 , J R Copeland, S Taylor, J Donoghue, C F McCracken
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Natural history of pharmacotherapy of older depressed community residents. The MRC-ALPHA Study

K C Wilson et al. Br J Psychiatry. 1999 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Depression in older people is common and has a high mortality, but effective treatments exist.

Aims: To describe drug prescribing in older community residents in relation to depression status.

Method: The MRC-ALPHA community cohort aged 65 and over were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State examination drug data collected at index interview and at two and four years.

Results: Antidepressants were used by 10.9% of the depressed population. Benzodiazepines were used frequently. Of the antidepressant users, 59.6% took low-dose antidepressants for two years, had a poor outcome and few drug changes.

Conclusions: Trends of increasing antidepressant use have cost implications for primary care groups. Benzodiazepines may be mis-prescribed for treatment of depressive symptoms. Antidepressant users have poor outcome and follow-up.

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