HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ALL ISSUES SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Abrams, R. C. Articles by Kakuma, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Abrams, R. C. Articles by Kakuma, T.

Personality Disorder Symptoms Predict Declines in Global Functioning and Quality of Life in Elderly Depressed Patients

Received September 17, 1999; revised March 9, 2000; accepted April 12, 2000. From The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Address correspondence to Dr. Abrams, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center Payne Whitney Clinic, Box 140, 525 E. 68th St., New York, NY 10021. e-mail: rabrams{at}med.cornell.edu

The authors evaluated personality disorder symptoms as predictors of change in global functioning and quality of life among elderly depressed patients. Treated elderly patients (N=40) who no longer met RDC criteria for major depression were assessed for personality disorders, depression, global functioning, and quality of life after treatment of the acute episode and at 1-year follow-up. In interaction with persisting or recurrent depression, Cluster B personality disorder symptoms contributed to declines in global functioning and quality of life over a 1-year period. Personality disorder symptoms in elderly patients appear to operate as co-factors that amplify or exacerbate the impact of residual depression on long-term functioning and quality of life.

Key Words: Depression • Personality Disorder • Comorbidity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. J. Heisel, P. S. Links, D. Conn, R. van Reekum, and G. L. Flett Narcissistic Personality and Vulnerability to Late-Life Suicidality Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, September 1, 2007; 15(9): 734 - 741. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Q. Morse, P. A. Pilkonis, P. R. Houck, E. Frank, and C. F. Reynolds III Impact of Cluster C Personality Disorders on Outcomes of Acute and Maintenance Treatment in Late-Life Depression Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 13(9): 808 - 814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Abrams, M. Lachs, G. McAvay, D. J. Keohane, and M. L. Bruce Predictors of Self-Neglect in Community-Dwelling Elders Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2002; 159(10): 1724 - 1730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]