European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
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Several risk factors of depression have been identified in retrospective as well as some prospective studies in the elderly. Confirmation in independent samples is needed. The present follow-up study prospectively investigated risk factors of depression in an elderly German sample. ⋯ This investigation confirms previous studies from other countries concerning the relevance of risk factors for depression in the elderly. The knowledge of risk factors might help identify subjects at increased risk of depression for early intervention approaches. Elderly with a history of previous depression carry the highest risk.