A study of 145 patients with depression admitted to hospital were followed up an average of 15 years later. During the follow-up period, 7% had suicided, 12% were still incapacitated by illness, % 20% had remained well. Patients for whom the index admission was not their first were more likely to be readmitted during follow-up. Those with endogenous depression were more likely to be readmitted than those with neurotic depression. Otherwise, the prognosis for 2 depression types was the same. (CM)