The botany survey: A longitudinal study of depression and cognitive impairment in an elderly population

✍ Scribed by Professor John Snowdon; Fred Lane

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 948 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.930100503

✦ Synopsis

An 8-year-long longitudinal study of elderly people in Botany (Sydney) has provided data on the prevalence, incidence and outcome of cognitive impairment and depression in this population. In 1985, a random sample of 146 persons aged 65 years or more, living in their own Lomes, were assessed using the Brief Assessment Schedule, depression ratings and cognitive tests. Follow-up interviews were conducted after 2, 4, 6 and 8 years. Data from separate hostel and nursing home studies were used when estimating prevalence rates. The estimated prevalence and annual incidence of definite dementia in Botany were, respectively, 14% (3.5% severe) and 2.5%. Among elderly people living at home the prevalence of definite dementia was 11%; 23% of our community sample suffered dementia during the 8 years. The prevalence and minimum annual incidence of depressive disorders were, respectively, 12.5% and 2.0%. Among those living at home the prevalence was 12.3%. Dementia was associated with a high mortality rate, but the apparently increased mortality of depressed subjects did not reach significance, probably because numbers were relatively small; a high proportion of the deceased had comorbid cognitive impairment. Some depressions eventually remitted.