Final answer:
Yes, disability, older age, new medical diagnosis, and poor health status are consistent correlates of depression among older medical patients. Depression is a major cause of disability and has a significant relationship with heart disease, with studies showing increased mortality rates among those diagnosed with depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that disability, older age, new medical diagnosis, and poor health status are among the most consistent correlates of depression among older medical patients is True. Research has definitively shown that there is a significant relationship between certain health conditions such as heart disease and major depressive disorder (MDD). Additionally, negative emotional states like depression, anxiety, and hostility are not only predictive of heart disease on their own but are also more predictive when combined into a single psychological risk factor.
Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability, not just in specific populations like Australians, as cited in the research, but globally. It has an enormous medical, social, and economic impact. By the year 2020, MDD is expected to become the second most important contributor to the global burden of disease. Patients who are diagnosed with depression have shown to have higher mortality rates, especially from heart disease, compared to the general population. Furthermore, mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, account for the most common causes of illness-related hospitalization in the U.S. Treatments for depression vary from psychotherapy and medication to more invasive procedures like electroconvulsive therapy.