Early- and late-onset XXXX in the older: no differences found within the melancholic subtype.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity146 @entity1316 @entity161
OBJECTIVE: Several studies have reported clinical and biological differences between early- and late-onset(EO and LO) @entity308 , which suggest different underlying aetiological processes. The aim of the present study is to examine whether there are differences between EO and LO @entity308 @entity1 with melancholy, controlling for current age, with regard to clinical variables, vascular risk factors and family history of affective disorders or suicide. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one melancholic @entity1 were divided into three groups: @entity1 with current age and onset earlier than 60 (N = 60), @entity1 aged 60 or over and with onset at 60 or later(N = 30) and @entity1 aged 60 or over and with onset before the age of 60 (N = 31). Systematic clinical data were collected with the structured interview    The Schedule for @entity1316 and @entity161   . Symptom ratings at admission and at discharge were assessed by means of the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the Widl  cher Depression Retardation Scale. Family history of affective disorders or suicide was obtained using the Family History Research Diagnostic Criteria. Vascular risk factors were also recorded. RESULTS: The only symptoms that differed across the groups were feelings of anger and @entity146 , which scored lower in the LO older group. No other significant differences were found in the variables studied. CONCLUSION: According to this study, LO @entity308 with @entity308 should not be considered as a distinct entity. Further studies on EO and LO- @entity308 should consider this diagnostic subtype, among others, as a key variable.
