Carlos Gómez-Restrepo1, María Nelcy Rodríguez2, Néstor Díaz3, Carlos Cano4, Nathalie Tamayo5. 1. Psiquiatra, epidemiólogo clínico, psiquiatra de enlace. Profesor titular y director del Departamento de Epidemiología Clínica y Bioestadística. Coordinador de la Especialidad Psiquiatría de Enlace, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: cgomez@javeriana.edu.co. 2. Bioestadística. Profesora asociada del Departamento de Epidemiología Clínica y Bioestadística, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. 3. Estadístico, rotante del Departamento de Epidemiología Clínica y Bioestadística, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. 4. Geriatra, coordinador del Estudio SABE-Bogotá. Director del Instituto de Envejecimiento, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. 5. Psiquiatra, psiquiatra de enlace, candidata a MSc en Epidemiología Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are multiple factors associated with suicide in elderly people and include, among others, depression, loss of independence, medical comorbidities, not being satisfied with life, or loss of hope. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of depression in a representative sample of the population over 60 years old and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Aging) was conducted in 2012. A structured questionnaire and the Yesavage depression scale were used in order to complete a descriptive analysis, as well as a chi-squared test of independence. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 26.3%. The associated factors are being female, low education, not receiving a pension, hypertension, a diagnosed mental illness, having had hunger in the first 15 years of life, and in the last week, no leisure activities, and worse self-perception of health. People, who are not satisfied with their lives, who do not feel that it is wonderful to live, and those who feel hopeless, are at increased risk of depression. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of depression, and various factors associated with it, as previously reported in the literature. Poor life satisfaction was shown to be a factor related to depression.
BACKGROUND: There are multiple factors associated with suicide in elderly people and include, among others, depression, loss of independence, medical comorbidities, not being satisfied with life, or loss of hope. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of depression in a representative sample of the population over 60 years old and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Aging) was conducted in 2012. A structured questionnaire and the Yesavage depression scale were used in order to complete a descriptive analysis, as well as a chi-squared test of independence. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 26.3%. The associated factors are being female, low education, not receiving a pension, hypertension, a diagnosed mental illness, having had hunger in the first 15 years of life, and in the last week, no leisure activities, and worse self-perception of health. People, who are not satisfied with their lives, who do not feel that it is wonderful to live, and those who feel hopeless, are at increased risk of depression. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of depression, and various factors associated with it, as previously reported in the literature. Poor life satisfaction was shown to be a factor related to depression.
Authors: Ana María Arias-Monsalve; Samuel Arias-Valencia; Diana Carolina Rubio-León; Daniel-Camilo Aguirre-Acevedo; Lisbeth Re Tifo Re Tifo; Jesús Andrés Estrada Cortes; Yenny Vicky Paredes Arturo Journal: Int J Psychol Res (Medellin) Date: 2022 Jan-Jun