[Influence of antidepressant therapy on psychic state and functional and cognitive abilities elderly patients treated in psychiatric ward].

Unlabelled: Depression and cognitive disfunctions are the most common psychopathological disorders of older adults.

The Aim Of The Study: To asses effects of a pharmacological and psychological treatment performed in psychiatric ward on psychic state and functional and cognitive abilities in elderly patients with depression.

Material And Methods: The study included group of 35 patients with depression (22 women and 13 men) above 65 years old, consecutively admitted to the psychiatric ward. Examination of the psychical, mental and functional abilities was performed at the beginning and end of 4-6 weeks treatment in psychiatric ward, by means of the following scales: Katz activities of daily living (ADL), Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADL), Folstein mini mental state examination (MMSE), Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Results: In women, after treatment the average scores in ADL test increased 0.3 point (statistically insignificant); in IADL test--increased 2.6 points (statistically significant); in MMSE test--increased 6 points (statistically significant), in GDS scale--reduced 13.45 points (statistically significant). In men after therapy the mean value of points in ADL test increased 0.4 points (statistically insignificant); in the test of IADL increased 3.5 points (statistically significant); in MMSE test--increased 6.5 points (statistically significant); in the scale of the GDS decreased 13.7 points (statistically highly significant).

Conclusions: In elderly patients with depression mental state improved after pharmacological and psychological treatment in psychiatric ward. Improvement of mood in elderly patients treated for depression leads to increased functional and cognitive abilities.