Rojas-Fernandez Carlos H, Miller Lisa J, Sadowski Cheryl A
School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Res Gerontol Nurs. 2010 Jul;3(3):176-86. doi: 10.3928/19404921-20100526-01. Epub 2010 Jun 30.
Geriatric (or late-life) depression is common in older adults, with an incidence that increases dramatically after age 70 to 85, as well as among those admitted to hospitals and those who reside in nursing homes. In this population, depression promotes disability and is associated with worsened outcomes of comorbid chronic medical diseases. Geriatric depression is often undetected or undertreated in primary care settings for various reasons, including the (incorrect) belief that depression is a normal part of aging. Current research suggests that while antidepressant agent use in older adults is improving in quality, room for improvement exists. Improving the pharmacotherapy of depression in older adults requires knowledge and understanding of many clinical factors. The purpose of this review is to discuss salient issues in geriatric depression, with a focus on pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic interventions.
老年（或晚年）抑郁症在老年人中很常见，其发病率在70至85岁后急剧上升，在住院患者和养老院居民中也很常见。在这一人群中，抑郁症会导致残疾，并与慢性合并症的不良预后相关。由于各种原因，包括（错误地）认为抑郁症是衰老的正常组成部分，老年抑郁症在初级保健环境中常常未被发现或治疗不足。目前的研究表明，虽然老年人使用抗抑郁药的质量正在提高，但仍有改进空间。改善老年人抑郁症的药物治疗需要了解和认识许多临床因素。本综述的目的是讨论老年抑郁症的突出问题，重点是药物治疗和心理治疗干预措施。
