Depression in Geriatric Patients (2022)-AAMA Geriatrics ABC Program_Course 3 Depression_eHandbook

AAMA Geriatrics ABC Program_Course 3 Depression_eHandbook_2022
Pdf Summary
The "Depression in Geriatric Patients" eHandbook is a comprehensive guide aimed at medical professionals to better understand, diagnose, and treat depression in older adults. Here are the key highlights:<br /><br />### Key Points:<br />**Depression Overview:**<br />- Depression (major depressive disorder, MDD) affects mood, thinking, and daily activities.<br />- It is common but not a normal part of aging.<br />- Older adults may show fewer or different symptoms and are often under-diagnosed and under-treated.<br /><br />**Impact and Risk:**<br />- Depression leads to higher health care costs and more frequent hospital visits.<br />- It increases the risk of suicide, especially among men over 65.<br />- Causes are multifactorial, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.<br /><br />### Identification and Diagnosis:<br />**Symptoms:**<br />- Include persistent sadness, lost interest in activities, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.<br />- Symptoms must last for at least two weeks for a diagnosis.<br /><br />**Screening Tools:**<br />- Tools like the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) are vital for identifying depression.<br />- The GDS and PHQ can be self-administered, with the PHQ-9 used to establish a clinical diagnosis.<br /><br />**Diagnostic Criteria:**<br />- The DSM-V criteria help in the systematic diagnosis of MDD, with the mnemonic SIGECAPS aiding in remembering the symptoms.<br /><br />### Treatment and Management:<br />**Pharmacotherapy:**<br />- Antidepressants include SSRIs, among the most commonly used due to their safety profile.<br />- Response to antidepressants generally takes 4–8 weeks, with varied efficacy across different classes.<br /><br />**Psychotherapy:**<br />- Talk therapy helps in identifying and addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of depression.<br />- Often combined with medication for better outcomes.<br /><br />**Somatic and Alternative Therapies:**<br />- Somatic treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are options when medications are ineffective.<br />- Herbal supplements and Omega-3 fatty acids are alternative options, though they require caution due to potential interactions and lack of strong evidence for use as monotherapy.<br /><br />### Long-Term Management:<br />- Continuous treatment is recommended for 4–9 months post-acute phase to prevent relapse.<br />- Gradual tapering off medications reduces discontinuation symptoms, and monitoring is crucial as one-third of patients may experience recurrence.<br /><br />### Medical Coding:<br />- The handbook provides guidance on using CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS codes for accurately documenting and billing depression-related medical services.<br /><br />### Additional Resources:<br />- The handbook includes a factsheet, glossary, and references for further reading.<br /><br />This eHandbook emphasizes the need for proper recognition, timely diagnosis, and appropriate, sustained treatment of depression in the geriatric population to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Keywords
Geriatric Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
Older Adults
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening Tools
Pharmacotherapy
Psychotherapy
Somatic Therapies
Medical Coding