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Depressive symptoms among elderly inpatients of a Brazilian university hospital: prevalence and associated factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2008

Cristiane Lara Mendes-Chiloff ,
Ana Teresa A. Ramos-Cerqueira ,
Maria Cristina Pereira Lima  and
Albina Rodrigues Torres
Cristiane Lara Mendes-Chiloff*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
Ana Teresa A. Ramos-Cerqueira
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
Maria Cristina Pereira Lima
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
Albina Rodrigues Torres
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Cristiane Lara Mendes-Chiloff, Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School – São Paulo State University (UNESP), Distrito de Rubião Jr., 18618-970 – Botucatu (SP) –Brazil. Phone: +55 14 3811 6260; Fax: 55 14 3815 5965. Email: crislmjoel@uol.com.br.
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Abstract

Background: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among elderly hospital inpatients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluated 189 participants using the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Mini-mental State Examination and the Katz and Lawton Index, to assess dependence regarding activities of daily living (ADL).

Results: Most of the participants were women, aged between 60 and 92 years, with low levels of educational attainment and personal income, and non-qualified occupations. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 56%, but only 3% had a psychiatric diagnosis registered in their medical records. Univariate analysis showed significant associations between depressive symptoms and low educational level and income, marital status, number of hospitalizations in the previous year, cognitive decline, dependence regarding basic and instrumental ADL, and death. After logistic regression, the only variables that remained significantly associated with depression were low educational level, dependence regarding basic ADL, and death.

Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were independently associated with low educational level and dependence regarding basic ADL. Hospitalized elderly people with depressive symptoms were more likely to die. It is essential to diagnose and treat depression properly in this population to minimize its negative impacts.

Keywords

depressive symptomselderlyinpatientsprevalenceassociated factors
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 20 , Issue 5 , October 2008 , pp. 1028 - 1040
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2008

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