Depressed older men more likely to end up in hospital

Older men with depression are twice as likely as non-depressed men to be admitted to hospital.

Research showed men aged over 69 with moderate to severe depression also had more overnight admissions and were more likely to die in hospital.

Possible reasons given for the link were decreased compliance with treatment plans for other chronic diseases, and physiological changes associated with depression that exacerbate other medical conditions.

Researchers said the issue of depression in later life must be tackled to optimise the use of limited hospital resources.