The Relationship of Aging and Dysthymia in Primary Care

Abstract

The authors compared symptomatic and functional characteristics between older (age ≥60; n = 91) and younger (age 18–59; n = 125) primary care patients with dysthymia. Three of six significantly different depression symptoms were of moderate-to-large effect size, with the older group having a lower proportion reporting the symptom. The older group had a worse physical health function score but a better mental health function score. There appears to be a core of symptoms and functional impairment that generalizes across the age span. There are also significant age differences. Growing older appears to have an impact on the nature of what it means to have dysthymia. The authors compared symptomatic and functional characteristics between older (age ≥60; n = 91) and younger (age 18–59; n = 125) primary care patients with dysthymia. Three of six significantly different depression symptoms were of moderate-to-large effect size, with the older group having a lower proportion reporting the symptom. The older group had a worse physical health function score but a better mental health function score. There appears to be a core of symptoms and functional impairment that generalizes across the age span. There are also significant age differences. Growing older appears to have an impact on the nature of what it means to have dysthymia.