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In later life, declining physical health is often thought to be one of the most important risk factors for depression. Major depressive disorders are relatively rare, while depressive syndromes which do not fulfil diagnostic criteria (minor depression) are common.

Community-based sample of older adults (55–85) in the Netherlands: baseline sample n=3056; study sample in two stage screening procedure n=646. Both relative (odds ratios) and absolute (population attributable risks) measures of associations reported.

In multivariate analyses minor depression was related to physical health, while major depression was not. General aspects of physical health had stronger associations with depression than specific disease categories. Significant interactions between ill health and social support were found only for minor depression. Major depression was associated with variables reflecting …