Prevalence and risk factors for depression among community resident older people in Kerala

Abstract

Background:Depression is the most common mental health problem in late-life. We need more information about the incidence and prevalence of major and minor syndromes of depression in older people. This will help in service development.Aims:To estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders among community resident older people in Kerala, India and to identify factors associated with late-life depression.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and twenty community resident older subjects were assessed for depression by clinicians trained in psychiatry. They used a symptom checklist based on International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) Diagnostic criteria for research for Depression and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale for assessment of symptoms. A structured proforma was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics and medical history. The point prevalence of depression was estimated. Univariate analysis and subsequent binary logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with depression.Results:Prevalence of any ICD-10 (World Health Organization, 1992) depressive episode was 39.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.6–45.9). There was significant correlation between depression and female gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.33; 95% CI 1.07–5.06) and history of a significant life event in the previous year (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.27–4.49).Conclusion:High prevalence rate of late-life depression is indicative of high burden due to depression among older people in the community. Better awareness among primary care clinicians can result in better detection and management of late-life depression.

Factors associated with and prevalence of depressive features amongst older adults in an urban city in eastern China

“…The survey results showed that the prevalence of depressive features in the elderly was 47.4% (45.9% in male and 48.5% in women). These results are higher than those observed in India (39.1%), 19 in Hong Kong (30.0%), 20 amongst elderly Chinese immigrants in Western countries (20.0% – 30.0%), 21 and in South Korea (26.0%), 22 as well as being lower than that of elderly Chinese (59.8%) 16 reported in previous studies. The differences may be due to a difference in sampling design, assessment tools for depressive features or objects of study.…”

The prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors in countryside‐dwelling older Chinese patients with hypertension

“…Depression is another common disease in older people (Nakulan, Sumesh, Kumar, Rejani, & Shaji, ). A great number of studies have shown that the prevalence of depression is a significant and common psychological health problem in older patients with hypertension (Tel, ; Testa et al., ).…”

Screening for Depression among Community-dwelling Elders: Usefulness of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale

“…[ 1 2 3 4 ] We recently reported a prevalence of 39.1% for depressive disorder in a rural community. [ 5 ] A recent review article concluded that depression is quite common in community-resident older people in India. [ 6 ] Early diagnosis of depression is important for effective intervention.…”