Comparison of Management of Depression in Different Age Groups: A Clinical Study

Background: Depression has been considered 4th causes of diseases worldwide according to World Health Organization (WHO). Depression requires proper diagnosis and management in different age groups. This study was conducted to evaluate the comparison of management of depression in different age groups, especially in young, middle and older age groups. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in department of Psychiatry in year 2010. Those who were diagnosed and obtained treatment in year 2010 were enrolled and considered for the study. It consisted of 240 patients diagnosed with depression. They were divided into 3 groups depending upon age. Group I (Young group) – <40 years, group II (Middle aged group) – 40-60 years and group III (Older group)- >60 years. Each group contained 80 patients each. We evaluated number and type of drugs used for antidepressant treatment, their effectiveness (psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, spontaneously remission). Results: This study comprised of 240 patients. They were divided into 3 groups depending upon age. Group I (Young group) – <40 years, group II (Middle aged group)- 40-60 years and group III (Older group)- >60 years. Each group contained 80 patients each. The difference was no significant (P<0.05). 40% of patients in group I, 45% in group II and 65% in group III were of 1 drug only. 20% in group I, 25% in group II and 10% in group III was on 2 drugs. 10% in group I, 15% in group II and 5% in group III was on 3 drugs. Patients were on no drug in group I (30%), group II (15%) and group III (10%). The difference was no significant (P<0.05). 40% of patients were on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), 25% were on combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines (BDZ) and 35% were on benzodiazepines only. In group II, 35% of patients were on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), 40% were on combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines (BDZ) and 25% were on benzodiazepines only. In group III, 40% of patients were on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), 42% were on combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines (BDZ) and 12% were on benzodiazepines only. The difference was significant in all the groups regarding combination therapy and benzodiazepines (P<0.05). Type of therapy used in all groups was either general practitioner (GP) support, psychotherapy, pharmachotherapy, pharmachotherapy or GP support, combination of psychotherapy and pharmachotherapy. There was significant difference in all the groups regarding combination therapy (P<0.01). Conclusion: Young patients usually do not take any medication in depression. Older take more than 1 or 2 medication at same time. Young patients were more on SSRI while older were equally on SSRI and combination of SSRI & BDZ.