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Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Blay, SL; Andreoli, SB; Fillenbaum, GG; Gastal, FL
Published in: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
September 2007

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the one-month prevalence of depression morbidity and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, health and functional status, and use of health services in community residents aged 60 years and over in Brazil. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design of face-to-face interviews (N = 7,040) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Participants were household residents aged 60 years and older. Measurements included the Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule (six-item version) and questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health status, systemic illnesses, activities of daily living (ADL), use of medical services, and social support. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression morbidity was 22% (men: 18%, women: 25.2%). In controlled analyses, younger age, low income, rural origin, never or no longer married, poor self-rated health, presence of systemic illnesses, visual, hearing, or ADL impairments, hospitalization in the past 12 months, and lack of exercise or employment were significantly associated with depression morbidity, whereas living alone was nearly so associated. Gender, education, minority race, or outpatient visits in the previous six months were not associated with depression morbidity. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of depression morbidity was among the highest previously reported for older persons. In controlled analyses, prevalence declined as age increased, and rates were higher for those with lower income and poorer social, health, and functional status, but did not differ significantly by gender, education, or race/ethnicity. Increased attention should be paid to identifying depression morbidity in those with adverse circumstances and to identifying ameliorating interventions.

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Published In

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1064-7481

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

15

Issue

9

Start / End Page

790 / 799

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Personality Assessment
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys
  • Geriatrics
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Female
 

Citation

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Blay, S. L., Andreoli, S. B., Fillenbaum, G. G., & Gastal, F. L. (2007). Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 15(9), 790–799. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180654179
Blay, Sergio Luís, Sergio Baxter Andreoli, Gerda G. Fillenbaum, and Fábio Leite Gastal. “Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 15, no. 9 (September 2007): 790–99. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180654179.
Blay SL, Andreoli SB, Fillenbaum GG, Gastal FL. Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;15(9):790–9.
Blay, Sergio Luís, et al. “Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, vol. 15, no. 9, Sept. 2007, pp. 790–99. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180654179.
Blay SL, Andreoli SB, Fillenbaum GG, Gastal FL. Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;15(9):790–799.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1064-7481

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

15

Issue

9

Start / End Page

790 / 799

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Personality Assessment
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys
  • Geriatrics
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Female