Publication
Title
Stability and transition of depression subtypes in late life
Author
Abstract
Background: The heterogeneity of late-life depression hampers diagnosis and treatment. Data-driven methods have identified several subtypes of depression in older persons, but the longitudinal stability of these subtypes remains unknown. Methods: In total 111 older persons with a major depressive disorder both at baseline and 2-year follow-up from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older persons (NESDO) were included. Latent class analysis was performed to identify subtypes of depression at baseline and at 2-year follow-up, and latent transition analysis was used to examine the stability of these subtypes over time. Transition rates between subtypes and characteristics of groups were examined. Results: Two subtypes were identified in both baseline (TO) and follow-up data (T1), including a 'melancholic' subtype (prevalence 80.2% (T0) and 62.2% (T1)), and an 'atypical' subtype (prevalence 19.8% (T0) and 37.8% (T1)). The melancholic subtype was characterized by decreased appetite and weight and had a stability of 0.86. The atypical subtype was characterized by increased appetite and weight and had a stability of 0.93, although the discriminating power of different symptoms had decreased at Tl. Mean age and education differed significantly between stable and transitioning subgroups, other characteristics did not differ between subgroups. Limitations: Limited sample size might have hampered the analyses. Conclusions: Subtypes of late-life depression are relatively stable, but symptoms of depression (like weight loss) seem to blur with symptoms of (patho)physiological aging. This underlines the clinical relevance of depression subtyping, but also the importance of further research into subtypes and the influence of aging.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of affective disorders. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2020
ISSN
0165-0327
DOI
10.1016/J.JAD.2020.01.049
Volume/pages
265 (2020) , p. 445-452
ISI
000514822200056
Pubmed ID
32090771
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 06.04.2020
Last edited 02.12.2024
To cite this reference