The course of depression in elderly outpatients.

Sixty-four elderly outpatients diagnosed according to the criteria of DSM-III as having affective disorders were submitted to follow-up study for 6-24 months (mean 15 months). Twenty patients (31%) were in good health throughout follow-up, fourty-four patients (69%) remained more or less chronically ill. The prognosis was better in patients diagnosed as having "adjustment disorder with depressed mood" and "dysthymic disorder"; when onset was late, and when there were no signs of organic brain C.N.S. damage.