Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Intervention, Interpersonal Counseling, for Subdysthymic Depression in Medically Ill Elderly

• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/51a.4.m172
• Publication Date: 2011-06-21T18:59:33Z
• Authors: J. M. Mossey; K. A. Knott; M. Higgins; K. Talerico
• Keywords: Geriatric Depression Scale; Depression

Background. Subdysthymic depression occurs in 20–50% of hospitalized elderly and is associated with physical social disability, delayed recovery, excess health service use. Despite this, little known regarding the nature such depressive symptomatology, or its responsivity to treatment. To address a randomized clinical trial assessing feasibility efficacy Interpersonal Counseling (IPC), short-term psychotherapy, was conducted. Methods. Patients 60 + Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score > 10 not meeting DSM-Ill-R criteria for major ordysthymia were recruited from acute hospital. Thirty-five individuals IPC 41 usual care (UC). delivered following hospital discharge by psychiatric nurse specialists. Interviews conducted at recruitment 3, 6, 12 months later. Primary outcomes GDS scores, ratings, measures functioning. Results. At 3 months, group members showed greater improvement than UC on all outcome variables; between-group differences did reach statistical significance. 6 statistically significant difference rate GDS, indicated scores less, observed compared (60.6% vs 35.1%). Multivariate analyses confirmed positive treatment effect symptoms. Similar multivariate self-rated but Conclusions. appears feasible, acceptable, effective symptom reduction health. Implementation interventions subdysthymic recommended.