노년기 우울증의 치료전략

초록

Geriatric depression is nowadays a predominant health care problem, mainly due to the progressive aging of the population. However, depression in the elderly is often under-recognized and under-treated; this may be due to the misconception, both from clinicians and patients, of considering depression as a physiological response to aging. The difficulties in diagnosing depression may lead to unnecessary medical investigations, delays in treatment, and an increased risk of suicide. When faced with making treatment decisions for a patient with late-life depression, one must consider a number of variables. The main goal of pharmacological treatment for geriatric depression is not only to resolve the acute episode but also to prevent relapse and to enhance the quality of life in the elderly. In this paper, some of the most important and well-tolerated drugs in the elderly are reviewed. As clinicians, we are responsible for selecting the best medication treatment for a given patient. The more comprehensive our knowledge about the patient and about the efficacy profile and short- and long-term side effects of antidepressants, the more effectively we will treat late-life depression.

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