Factors related to depressive symptoms and self‐reported diagnosis of depression in community‐dwelling older Chileans: A national cross‐sectional analysis

Aravena, José M.; Saguez, Rodrigo; Lera, Lydia; Moya, Mario; Albala, Cecilia

doi:10.1002/gps.5293

Cited by 13 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Men with a positive screen for any level of depression were less likely to self-report a medical diagnosis, as previously found by Aravena et al [ 23 ]. As these authors had reported, we observed associations between age, educational attainment, and the odds of diagnosis, but we found that older women were less likely to self-report a depression diagnosis, and that educational attainment increased this likelihood only among men.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Our results contribute to the previous information about depressive disorders among older adults in Chile. Aravena et al [ 23 ] found a prevalence of positive screen for MDD of 6.9% in this group in 2009, assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Our study found a higher prevalence (9.4%), which could be attributed to the use of a different screening test.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With respect to sociodemographic variables, Aravena et al [ 23 ] reported that female gender, having a lower level of education, and living alone were associated with depression, whereas older age decreased the odds of depression. We observed that gender alone was associated with a positive screen for MDD (data not shown).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We observed a wider gap, with only 39.6% self-reported diagnosis among people with a positive screen for MDD. Aravena et al [ 23 ] reported that 47% of people who screened positive for moderate to severe depression in 2009, had been diagnosed. Hence, the gap between a positive screen for depression and diagnosis among older Chilean people should be addressed by mental health programs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, there are important barriers to treatment, including underdiagnosis [ 20 – 22 ]. With respet to diagnosis of depression among older adults in Chile, a previous study reported that only 22.6% men and 42.3% women who screened positive for mild to severe depression had been diagnosed in 2009, according to their self-report [ 23 ]. To the best of our knowlege, gender differences in the factors associated with underdiagnosis of late life depression have not been analyzed previously.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gender differences in positive screen for depression and diagnosis among older adults in Chile

2022

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Background Different factors are associated with late life depression and diagnosis, including gender. It has also been reported that depression among older people is underdiagnosed. As a result, the mental health needs of this group are insufficiently met. The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in the factors associated with positive screens for depression and self-reported diagnosis among older adults in Chile. Methods Data from 3786 older adults who participated in the Social Protection Survey in 2016 were analysed. PHQ-9 was used to identify screen-positive cases. Self-reported diagnosis of depression was used to determine the proportion of people with a screen-positive result who had received a diagnosis of depression. Logistic regression models were used to determine sociodemographic and health factors associated with depression and underdiagnosis in older men and women. Results The prevalence of a screen-positive result was 20.91% (5.83% major depressive disorder) among men, and 36.38% (12.43% major depressive disorder) among women. 18.77% of men and 34.11% of women with a positive depression screening had received a diagnosis. More educated men were more likely to receive a diagnosis. Older age was associated with a lower probability of diagnosis among older women. Conclusions Our results suggest that depressive disorders are undiagnosed in a high proportion of older adults in Chile. Gender is a relevant factor in the underdiagnosis of depression in this group. Further research is needed to understand the factors involved in these gaps, to improve detection and provide timely support and treatment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gender differences in positive screen for depression and diagnosis among older adults in Chile

2022

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Gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in Chile between 2003 and 2016

Moreno,

Monsalves,

Rueda

et al. 2024

Camb. prisms Glob. ment. health

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The aim of the study was to analyze gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms among the adult population in Chile between 2003 and 2016. The Sullivan method was used to estimate the total and marginal life expectancy, based on prevalence data from the National Health Survey (2003, 2010 and 2016), and abridged life tables for the Chilean population. There was a compression of morbidity among middle-aged men during the first period and among younger and older women during the last one. Men at all ages could expect to live a higher proportion of their lives without depressive symptoms during the whole period. The gender gap in the proportion of life expectancy free of depressive symptoms reached 10 percent points or more, considering almost all ages and periods. Unemployment and lower education increased the probability of depressive symptoms, and these effects were more marked among women. Public policies should have a gender-sensitive approach to address the gap in depression and the disadvantage experienced by women in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms, considering those dimensions that intersect with gender, such as access to education, employment or income. Impact statementDepression is the most frequent mental health problem. The international literature consistently reports a gender gap in depression. Also, an association between this gap and gender inequalities is supported by previous evidence. This study adds to the previous knowledge by examining if the advantage in life expectancy experienced by women compensates the higher prevalence of depressive symptoms across the life span through the assessment of gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in 2003, 2010 and 2016 in Chile. Our findings showed a persistent gender gap, with women expecting to live 10 percent points or more of their remaining life with depressive symptoms, compared to men, at all ages and years considered. We analyzed the interaction of gender with other social dimensions that could exacerbate gender differences, and we observed that lower level of education and unemployment increased the probability of depressive symptoms among men and women, but the effect was larger and more persistent among women. The results of our research support the importance of including a gender approach in public policies aimed at reducing inequalities among the population in Chile, considering the intersection of gender and other social dimensions that amplify disadvantages among certain groups of the population. With respect to mental health care, efforts have been made in Chile to improve access, quality, opportunity and financial protection to health-care users via the Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees (GES program), which included depression in 2006. The guidelines of this program should be updated, considering gender perspective and tailored interventions, to improve not only the access of certain groups but also the relevance and effectiveness of treatments.

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Programa Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: el caso del suicidio en la vejez

Ociel-Moya

2022

ARS med

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En la búsqueda de problematizar algunos de los ejes del Programa Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio del año 2013, aun en vigencia, se abordan temas como: a) el criterio de edad como principio de selección y focalización de las actividades preventivas, y b) la ausencia en sus lógicas de intervención y ámbitos de acción que consideren elementos reactivos frente a factores contingentes, se busca instalar la necesidad de incorporar a la población envejecida dentro del segmento de población prioritaria en pos de la prevención del suicidio. Mediante un análisis de contenido del Programa Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio, este texto tiene como objetivos analizar la problemática del suicidio en personas mayores, mediante una revisión de políticas públicas.

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Factors related to depressive symptoms and self‐reported diagnosis of depression in community‐dwelling older Chileans: A national cross‐sectional analysis

Cited by 13 publications

References 33 publications

Gender differences in positive screen for depression and diagnosis among older adults in Chile

Gender differences in positive screen for depression and diagnosis among older adults in Chile

Gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in Chile between 2003 and 2016

Programa Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: el caso del suicidio en la vejez

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