Occurrence and Course of Suicidality During Short-term Treatment of Late-Life Depression

This study was undertaken to determine 1) how suicidal ideation changes during short-term depression treatment & 2) whether treatment response differs among 3 groups of patients based on their levels of suicidality at baseline & during treatment. This is a secondary analysis of pooled data from 3 treatment studies of late-life major depression. It was found that while ideation resolves rapidly, the resolution of thoughts about death is more gradual, & elderly persons with depression have a lower response rate & need longer to respond. (34 refs)