MORTALITY IN RELATION TO DEMENTIA, DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN AN ELDERLY COMMUNITY SAMPLE

In a community sample of 274 persons aged 70 + years in 1982‐83, measures of depression, dementia and social integration made at that time were examined in relation to mortality in the following five years. The probability of death was increased in those diagnosed as having a dementia or a depressive disorder. The association between depression and mortality suggests that there may in such cases be a physical illness accompanied by a drop in mood. Alternatively, the symptoms of depression could also be symptoms of serious medical illness. Other symptoms, typical only of depression, did not predict mortality. There was no association between mortality and social integration, a finding which is contrary to previous observations. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.