One in four centenarians hit by depression
15 years, 5 months ago
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Posted on Nov 24, 2008, 6 a.m.
By Rich Hurd
Results of a recent study suggest that at least one in four centenarians suffer from depression, yet few have been diagnosed with the disease.
Results of a recent study suggest that at least one in four centenarians suffer from depression, yet few have been diagnosed with the disease.
Adam Davey, a developmental psychologist at Temple University, and colleagues surveyed 244 centenarians taking part in the Georgia Centenarian Study. Results showed that more than 25% of respondents had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms, however just 8% had a current diagnosis of depression.
"People who suffer from depression tend to have a high risk of mortality, so it's puzzling to see higher numbers among the oldest old," said Davey in a news release. He adds that further studies are needed to identify why the incidence of depression is so high amongst centenarians.
There are currently more than 60,000 centenarians in the United States, however over the next 50 years that figure is expected to soar to 247,000 as the baby boomers begin to reach their 100th birthday.
News release: Bittersweet milestones. Temple University. November 24th 2008.
