Carers' characteristics could be risk factors: Table 1

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Depression in carers of elderly people living at home Alcohol misuse could be a factor EDIToR,-In their study of the prevalence of depression in carers of elderly people living at home, Gill Livingston and colleagues used diagnoses according to ICD-10.1However, there was no mention of the ICD-10 category F1O-F19, disorders due to psychoactive substance use.I suppose this was due to it not being sought rather than it not existing, as excessive drinking is widespread-28% of men and 11% of women in the general population drink more than the recommended "safe" levels.2My clinical experi- ence suggests that this population of carers may be at increased risk.About 15% of men and 5% of women over the age of 65 drink more than the recommended weekly safe drinking levels.In community based

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