Status analysis on clinical features and drug treatment of the geriatric depression

Abstract

Objective To explore clinical features and the drug treatment of the geriatric depression. Methods The clinical data of 520 patients with depressive symptoms admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into elderly group(aged ≥60 years, n=320)and non-elderly group(aged<60 years, n=200). Differences in clinical characteristics and the drug treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The incidences of somatic diseases and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in the elderly group than in non-elderly group(75.0% vs.44.5%, and 76.9% vs.62.0%, χ2=49.267 and 13.268, respectively, both P=0.000). While the incidence of life events was lower in the elderly group than in non-elderly group(62.5% vs.77.5%, χ2=12.784, P=0.000). The incidences of somatic symptoms, emotional changes and suicidal ideation were higher in the elderly group than in non-elderly group(68.8% vs.47.0%, 78.4% vs.60.0%, and 45.3% vs.18.0%, χ2=24.339, 20.466 and 40.460, respectively, all P=0.000). Conclusions The incidence rates of somatic diseases-induced depression are significantly higher in elderly group than in non-elderly group.The elderly group versus non-elderly group is more likely to combine with anxiety symptoms. Key words: Depression; Disease attributes; Therapy