Comparison of patient and caregiver assessments of depressive symptoms in elderly patients with depression

This cross-sectional study is an evaluation of the extent to which proxy assessment may appropriately substitute for or add to self-assessment regarding somatic complaints, physical activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living in elderly patients diagnosed with depression according to DSM-IV criteria. A total of 102 patient–caregiver dyads met the study's inclusion criteria. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) between proxies and patients were all significant for the number of somatic complaints, physical activities of daily living. Proxy-patient responses were consistent for most subtypes of geriatric depression, with the exception of instrumental activities of daily life in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder. Proxy reports assessing somatic complaints and physical and instrumental activities of daily living may therefore be a valid supplement to retrospective self-reports in the management of clinical depression in the elderly.