Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40053803›Full record

ArticleJMIR aging2025

Building Consensus on the Relevant Criteria to Screen for Depressive Symptoms Among Near-Centenarians and Centenarians: Modified e-Delphi Study.

Carla Gomes da Rocha, Armin von Gunten, Pierre Vandel, Daniela S Jopp, Olga Ribeiro, Henk Verloo

Abstract readConsensus Statement
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR aging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Definition of treatment-resistant late-life depression: Conclusions from a European Task Force Delphi process.European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Carla Gomes da RochaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Sion, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-6302-7732
Armin von GuntenService of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-7852-3803
Pierre VandelService of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-0189-8364
Daniela S JoppInstitute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-8896-9275
Olga RibeiroNursing School of Porto (ESEP) and RISE-Health, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9982-9537
Henk VerlooSchool of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Sion, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-5375-3255

Funding

Swiss National Science Foundation CRSII5_186239/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe number of centenarians worldwide is expected to increase dramatically, reaching 3.4 million by 2050 and >25 million by 2100. Despite these projections, depression remains a prevalent yet underdiagnosed and undertreated condition among this population that carries significant health risks.

objectiveThis study aimed to identify and achieve consensus on the most representative signs and symptoms of depression in near-centenarians and centenarians (aged ≥95 years) through an e-Delphi study with an international and interdisciplinary panel of experts. Ultimately, the outcomes of this study might help create a screening instrument that is specifically designed for this unique population.

methodsA modified e-Delphi study was carried out to achieve expert consensus on depressive symptoms in near-centenarians and centenarians. A panel of 28 international experts was recruited. Consensus was defined as 70% agreement on the relevance of each item. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire over 3 rounds. Experts rated 104 items that were divided into 24 dimensions and 80 criteria to identify the most representative signs and symptoms of depression in this age group.

resultsThe panel consisted of experts from various countries, including physicians with experience in old age psychiatry or geriatrics as well as nurses and psychologists. The response rate remained consistent over the rounds (20/28, 71% to 21/28, 75%). In total, 4 new dimensions and 8 new criteria were proposed by the experts, and consensus was reached on 86% (24/28) of the dimensions and 80% (70/88) of the criteria. The most consensual potentially relevant dimensions were lack of hope (21/21, 100%), loss of interest (27/28, 96%), lack of reactivity to pleasant events (27/28, 96%), depressed mood (26/28, 93%), and previous episodes of depression or diagnosed depression (19/21, 90%). In addition, the most consensual potentially relevant criteria were despondency, gloom, and despair (25/25, 100%); depressed (27/27, 100%); lack of reactivity to pleasant events or circumstances (28/28, 100%); suicidal ideation (28/28, 100%); suicide attempt(s) (28/28, 100%); ruminations (27/28, 96%); recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (27/28, 96%); feelings of worthlessness (25/26, 96%); critical life events (20/21, 95%); anhedonia (20/21, 95%); loss of interest in activities (26/28, 93%); loss of pleasure in activities (26/28, 93%); and sadness (24/26, 92%). Moreover, when assessing depression in very old age, the duration, number, frequency, and severity of signs and symptoms should also be considered, as evidenced by the high expert agreement.

conclusionsThe classification of most elements as relevant highlights the importance of a multidimensional approach for optimal depression screening among individuals of very old age. This study offers a first step toward improving depression assessment in near-centenarians and centenarians. The development of a more adapted screening tool could improve early detection and intervention, enhancing the quality of mental health care for this population.

Indexed as

DepressionMass ScreeningAged, 80 and overDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumansMaleSurveys and Questionnairesassessmentcentenariansdepression diagnosisdepressive symptomse-Delphi techniquenear-centenariansscreeningweb-based survey

Identifiers

PMID40053803
PMCPMC11923476

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.