Old Age

Question 1

Risk of Alzheimers disease >65

Answer 1

5% (this doubles every 5 years)
15-19%, if 1st degree relative (x3-4)

Question 2

Prevalance depression OA

Answer 2

10-15% (double GA)

2-3x higher nursing home/chronic medical disorder

Question 3

Depression pharmacological treatment

Answer 3

Continuation; evidence that continued treatment reduces risk of relapse.

Recurrent relapse after anti-depressant discontinuation may point to continued treatment.

Decision on how long to continue, also down to patient preference, tolerability etc.

Question 4

Factors increasing risk of relapse

Answer 4

Increased number of episodes
Residual symptoms
Severity
Presence of psychosis
Degree of treatment resistance
Longer episode duration
Female
Poor social adjustment
Life events
Co-morbid medical conditions

Question 5

One episode of depression

Answer 5

6-9 months
2 episodes, 2 years