Objective
To evaluate the prevalence and the factors associated with depressive symptoms in the noninstitutionalized elderly.
Methods
A cross sectional analytical study population- based, conducted between May and July 2013, through a household survey. A questionnaire with sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, use of health services, scale fragility (Edmonton Frail Scale), Timed Get Up and Go test and Geriatric Depression Scale GDS-15 was applied. For statistical analysis, the variables were dichotomized. Bivariate analyzes (chi-square test) were conducted adopting a significance level lower than 0.20 for inclusion of independent variables in the multiple model. The final model was generated using multivariate logistic regression and the variables were associated with depressive maintained at a significance level of 0.05 (p < 0.05) symptoms.
Results
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27.5%. Independent variables associated with depressive symptoms were: not having a partner (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.214 to 2.713), not reading (OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.836), having negative perception about their own health (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.373 to 3.256), smoking (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.208 to 4.431), high risk of falls (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.000 to 3.184) and frailty (OR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.510 to 3.754).
Conclusions
The high prevalence of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elders identified alert to the need for better care of the elderly population.
Senior; depression; prevalence; epidemiology