A case of corticosteroid-responsive depression

摘要

Geriatric depression is commonly encountered in consultation-liaison settings and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality than in younger patients. Depression in older patients is highly treatable, although many patients still do not respond adequately to treatment. It is estimated that only 60% to 70% of patients with depression respond to antidepressant therapy.The STAR*D trial was perhaps even more discouraging, reporting that only about 33% of patients achieve full symptomatic remission. As such, clarification of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of depression and development of novel treatments for refractory patients remain high priorities.