P03-14 - Increased prevalence of depression in cohorts of elderly. A longitudinal epidemiological study: The hunt-study

Introduction As the elderly population is growing world-wide, depression in the elderly is becoming an increasing health problem. Studies of depression shows varying results in development patterns with age (1, 2). Aims To study changes in prevalence and new cases of depression in elderly age cohorts. Methods The Nord-Trondelag Health Survey (HUNT) is a general health survey conducted in Nord-Trondelag County with a follow-up after 11 years. The participants aged 45 years or above at baseline were included. Depression was covered by the depression sub-scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D; 3). Prevalence and incidence of depression was estimated in the different age cohorts. Results 16517 participants were included and divided in age cohorts based on their age at baseline. A significant increase in depression was found in all age cohorts from 76 years at follow-up. The oldest age cohort (86–90 years at follow-up) had the greatest increase with a change from 11.3% to 20.9%. New cases of depression is increasing with age, with over 10% new cases in all age cohorts aged 81 years and above at follow-up. Conclusions We found increased prevalence of depression and a large number of new cases of depression in the oldest age cohorts.