Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression in Turkish Geriatric Population: Gender Differences in a Field Study

Abstract

Background: Aging is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospitalization, and loss of functional status related to common mental disorders in the elderly. The aim of this study is the need to identify new and unmet problem areas in geriatric depression and develop efficient interventions for gender-based differences. Methods: The cross-sectional, field-based study was conducted with 2269 participants. The nurses serving in primary health care facilities collected data. The Questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, illnesses, medications, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), EQ-5D, General Health Status (GHS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Visual Analog Scale for health status (VAS) was collected in face-to-face interviews at the participants' homes. Results: In the study, the mean age was 73.3 (6.7), 50.3% were male. Of the older individuals' 71.8% had a chronic disease and 62.2% used at least one medication. The prevalence of depression was 31.2%. Women had a higher prevalence (35.6%) of severe depression than men (26.7%). Age, living alone, being single, being unemployed, having a chronic disease, and perception of poor health condition were associated with high depressive scores in the elderly whereas education, working status, and having a chronic disease were important factors in men. Conclusions: Depression evaluation in primary health care is an important part of geriatric health check-ups. The incidence of depressive symptoms significantly changes according to gender. Gender-based strategies like increasing the retirement age for men and providing post-retirement job opportunities can be effective in reducing depression.