Antidepressant use in the elderly: association with demographic characteristics, health-related factors, and health care utilization

Abstract

The characteristics of antidepressant use and its correlates were assessed in the four Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (EPESE) communities (n = 13,074). Women were significantly more likely to be treated with an antidepressant drug than men, and African-Americans were significantly less likely than whites to be using antidepressant medication. Of the health-related measures, poor self-perceived health, polypharmacy, disabilities in activities of daily living, and a history of stroke were associated with the use of antidepressants. Each utilization of health care variable, (number of doctors visits, overnight hospitalization in the past year, and use of a regular doctor), was associated with antidepressant use in at least two of the four communities. After entering variables in a multivariate regression model, higher antidepressant use was significantly associated with female gender, race, poor self-perceived health, and a greater number of contacts with doctors in the past year.