Depressive symptoms in late life in urban and semi-urban areas of South-West Greece: An undetected disorder?

作者:Argyropoulos Konstantinos; Bartsokas Christos; Argyropoulou Argyro; Gourzis Philippos; Jelastopulu Eleni*
来源:Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2015, 57(3): 295-300.
DOI:10.4103/0019-5545.166617

摘要

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and probable under-diagnosis of depressive symptoms in elderly of an urban and semi-urban area in Greece. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the members of 4 days care centers for older people (KAPI), three in the municipality of Patras, West-Greece, and in one in Tripolis, Peloponnese, Greece. A total of 378 individuals took part in the study, aged >60 years. A questionnaire was developed to collect basic demographic data including three questions from the European Health Interview, Survey, regarding self-reported or by a physician-diagnosed depression. Moreover, to all participants the Greek validated version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) was applied, to screen for depressive symptoms. Results: According to GDS-15, 48.1% of the studied population screened positive for depressive symptoms (38,6% moderate, 9.5% severe), whereas having ever been affected with chronic depression reported 19,0% by themselves. In 162 members of KAPI of Patras and in 106 of Tripolis, who never reported have been affected by depression and depressive symptoms were observed in 27.7% and 44.7%, respectively, In 28 individuals from Patras who reported not to know if they have depression and in 10 from Tripolis, depressive symptoms were observed in 60.7% and 90%, respectively, applying the GDS-15. Conclusion: Except the high prevalence, the present study reveals a remarkable under-detection of depressive symptoms in older adults, Various interventions in primary care are necessary so as to increase detection rates of depression among the elderly.

  • 出版日期2015-9