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Recurrence of First-Episode Geriatric Depression After Discontinuation of Maintenance Antidepressants

OBJECTIVE: Later age at onset of depression appears to be a risk factor for early recurrence. Therefore, the authors examined the 2-year outcomes of elderly patients with first-episode major depression following discontinuation of their maintenance antidepressant medication. METHOD: The study group consisted of 21 elderly patients who had recovered from a first lifetime episode of major depression. They had taken maintenance antidepressant medication for 2 years and had not had a relapse or recurrence during that time. The antidepressant was then withdrawn, and patients were followed for another 2 years or until recurrence, whichever occurred first. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of suffering a recurrence of major depression was 61%. Eleven of the 12 patients who suffered a recurrence restarted the antidepressant, and 10 responded. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with first-episode major depression were at high risk of recurrence following discontinuation of maintenance antidepressant medication. However, the vast majority of patients who experienced a recurrence responded to reinstated treatment.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. G. COLE Recurrence of Geriatric Depression Am J Psychiatry, July 1, 2000; 157(7): 1183- - 1183. [Full Text]

				I. M. Anderson, D. J. Nutt, and J. F. W. Deakin Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: a revision of the 1993 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines J Psychopharmacol, January 1, 2000; 14(1): 3 - 20. [Abstract] [PDF]

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