<p>In addition to the articles that @Seanny provided in the comments, I think <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18372049" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a> study addresses your question pretty well. A couple of idiosyncrasies about the sample: from rural Germany, primary care attenders, 75 and over (Weyerer et al., 2008). </p>

<p>Results are somewhat mixed: univariate analysis shows a positive relationship between age and depression (accounting for sex), while adjusting for all possible confounding variables make the effect not statistically significant (though still positive). </p>

<p>What does this mean? Yes, there is a positive relationship between age and depression. However, the relationship may not be distinct from other aspects of old age (mobility impairment, visual impairment, etc.) that increase in prevalence as age increases.</p>

<p><strong>References</strong></p>

<p>Weyerer, S., Eifflaender-Gorfer, S., Köhler, L., Jessen, F., Maier, W., Fuchs, A., … Bickel, H. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for depression in non-demented primary care attenders aged 75 years and older. Journal of Affective Disorders, 111(2–3), 153–163. <a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.02.008" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.02.008</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-05T21:13:18.100Z
2017-06-05T21:13:18.100Z
mflo-ByeSE
<p>Age is a risk factor for depression when we look at the entire lifespan. Does that hold true in a population of >60 years old?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-05T02:19:57.330Z
Not my area of expertise, but two papers that might help you get started:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852580/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3522513/
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-06T17:15:53.770Z
It definitely grows.
Some people may have high growth rates than others.
It depends on genes.
Sikku
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-06T18:58:53.113Z
@Sikku - try to avoid unreferenced one-liners as an answer. We expect elaborate, well-sourced answers. Although 'it depends' answers are perfectly viable, they do need to be backed up by an proper scientific argument.
AliceD
<clinical-psychology><depression>
Does risk of developing depression continue to increase after age 60?
user16083
# Does risk of developing depression continue to increase after age 60?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-04)

Age is a risk factor for depression when we look at the entire lifespan. Does that hold true in a population of >60 years old?

**Tags:** clinical-psychology, depression

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Not my area of expertise, but two papers that might help you get started: - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852580/ - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3522513/  
> **username_2**: It definitely grows. Some people may have high growth rates than others. It depends on genes.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 - try to avoid unreferenced one-liners as an answer. We expect elaborate, well-sourced answers. Although 'it depends' answers are perfectly viable, they do need to be backed up by an proper scientific argument.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-06-05. Score: 2

In addition to the articles that @Seanny provided in the comments, I think [this](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18372049) study addresses your question pretty well. A couple of idiosyncrasies about the sample: from rural Germany, primary care attenders, 75 and over (Weyerer et al., 2008).

Results are somewhat mixed: univariate analysis shows a positive relationship between age and depression (accounting for sex), while adjusting for all possible confounding variables make the effect not statistically significant (though still positive).

What does this mean? Yes, there is a positive relationship between age and depression. However, the relationship may not be distinct from other aspects of old age (mobility impairment, visual impairment, etc.) that increase in prevalence as age increases.

**References**

Weyerer, S., Eifflaender-Gorfer, S., Köhler, L., Jessen, F., Maier, W., Fuchs, A., … Bickel, H. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for depression in non-demented primary care attenders aged 75 years and older. Journal of Affective Disorders, 111(2–3), 153–163. <http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.02.008>


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