Mental Health: Interventions to Reduce Depression Among Older Adults – Clinic-Based Depression Care Management

The CPSTF finding is based on evidence from a systematic review of 2 studies (search period 1967 - October 2005). The review was conducted on behalf of the CPSTF by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and experts in research, practice, and policy from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine.

Detailed results from the systematic review are available in the CPSTF finding [PDF - 187 KB].

Two studies evaluated the effect of clinic-based depression care management.

• Unutzer et al (2002) reported a 45% response rate and a 25% remission rate for subjects with major depression or dysthymia.
• Bruce et al (2004) found a 55% response rate and a 36% remission for subjects with major depression after a similar time period; no statistically significant improvement was found for subjects with minor depression.

Detailed results from the systematic review are available in the CPSTF finding [PDF - 187 KB].

Unutzer et al (2002) estimated the cost of implementing clinic-based depression care management at $580/person (this data does not factor in cost savings measures, such as reductions in health care utilization).

The evidence should be broadly applicable to primary care clinics across the United States including various clinic size, healthcare systems, urban, suburban and rural settings, and participants ranging in age, health status, gender race/ethnicity, education level, and living alone status.

Not available because the CPSTF finding is based on a previously published systematic review (Frederick et al., 2007). Please refer to the article for more information.

Not available because the CPSTF finding is based on a previously published systematic review (Frederick et al., 2007). Please refer to the article for more information.