DEPRESSION OF THE ELDERLY PATIENTS: FOCUS ON A SINGLE CENTER STUDY

Elderly patients may deny the existence of depressive symptoms due to the social disapproval of the diagnostic, as well as the difficulty of expressing the need for help regarding psychiatric symptoms. The aim of this study is to underline the importance of early diagnosis of depressive syndrome in the elderly patient and the clinical approaches. Material and methods: the criteria for inclusion in the study was represented by the patients over 65 years of age, diagnosed with depressive disorder, according with the criteria of ICD10, single episode or recurrent ones. Results: we included 77 patients and we evaluated the risk factors such as female sex, urban area of provenance, somatic comorbidities. Conclusions: Patients with onset of the depressive disorder over the age of 65 years old had a weaker response to treatment, an increased risk of progression to dementia and a higher rate of early mortality. In this context, the need for prophylaxis, as well as effective treatment, is crucial, using individualized therapies to the patient's needs.