EVALUACIÓN DE LOS PACIENTES CON DIAGNOSTICO DE DEPRESION Y ABATIMIENTO FUNCIONAL E INICIO DE TRATAMIENTO FARMACOLÓGICO PARA LA DEPRESIÓN Y SU IMPACTO EN LA FUNCIONALIDAD

Abstract

Depression in the elderly population is a serious health problem that affects the welfare of the person and has been linked to functional impairment, increased mortality and excessive use of health resources. The functional impairment is an independent risk factor for mortality, hospitalization and the need for long-term care. OBJECTIVE Determine if there is improved functionality in patients over age 70 diagnosed with major depression and antidepressant medication. MATERIAL AND METHODS It was designed a prospective study that included 20 patients older than 70 years with major depression de novo, we performed comprehensive geriatric assessment and functional scales were applied at baseline and after 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment. We took into account the subjective improvement manifested by the patient and the caregiver at the end of the study. RESULTS: There was improvement in 25% of patients using the functional scales of Katz and Lawton-Brody, the perception of subjective improvement was reported in 75% of cases. Cases where no improvement was observed was related to disease with symptoms of dyspnea and pain.Factors such as network support or family dynamics showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: There is a functional improvement in most depressed patients who initiated antidepressant treatment. The scales currently used to study functionality don’t to be sensitive enough to identify changes. The uncontrolled underlying disease is related to antidepressant treatment failure and therefore no improvement in functionality.