Medicina (Oct 2020)
Prevalence and factors associated with depression in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Introduction: Depression is a psychiatric disease that causes losses in the biopsychosocial aspect of the affected individuals. The prevalence in the elderly population is significant, and identify the factors related to this outcome allows preventive measures and treatment can be early applied. Objective: Assessing the association between depression and sociodemographic and health risk factors in the elderly. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 388 elderly of both genders, aged 65 years and older, urban residents of the city of Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as a self-report of chronic diseases and lifestyle, a self-report questionnaire of functional capacity, occurrence of falls, Geriatric Depression Scale, mental state assessment, and anthropometry tests were used. The chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and multiple logistic regression with 95% confidence interval and p<5% were used in the statistical analysis. Results: There was a predominance of women (64%) who were mulatto/caboclo/brown skin (43%) and married (45%). Depression was significantly associated with: the lowest level of education, <8 years (OR=2.15; p=0.012), partial or total dependence of instrumental activities of daily living (OR=1.85; p=0.003), having five or more diseases (OR=2.93, p=0.002), falls in the last twelve months (OR=1.90; p=0.021), and sleep (OR=2.39; p<0.001) and visual difficulties (OR=2.28; p<0.001). Conclusion: Depression in this group of elderly was associated with modifiable and preventable factors in the health of these people. Thus, the early diagnosis of risk factors associated with depression, the inclusion of social, physical and cognitive activities must be considered for their prevention.
