Depression in the elderly of a rural region in Southern Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and its associated factors in elderly residents of the rural area of Rio Grande/RS. In this cross-sectional population-based study performed with 994 elderly (≥ 60 years), whose sampling was based on the 2010 Demographic Census, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used for Major Depressive Episode (EDM) screening. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. The overall prevalence for Major Depressive Episode screening was 8.1%. The variables independently associated with depression were: female gender, continuous use of medications, chronic diseases, body mass index and worse health perception. The creation of programs target at the elderly in the rural area, aimed at screening, early diagnosis of depression and maintenance of treatment, encompassing several factors related to health, are important actions that must be fostered by the health system.

摘要 本研究旨在估算巴西南大河州（Rio Grande/RS）农村地区老年居民的抑郁症患病率及其相关影响因素。本研究为基于人群的横断面研究，以2010年人口普查数据为抽样依据，共纳入994名≥60岁的老年人，采用患者健康问卷9项版（Patient Health Questionnaire 9, PHQ-9）开展重性抑郁发作（Major Depressive Episode, EDM）筛查。研究通过描述性分析、双变量分析及logistic回归完成多变量统计分析。结果显示，重性抑郁发作筛查的总体患病率为8.1%。与抑郁症呈独立相关的变量包括：女性性别、持续用药、慢性疾病、体质量指数及较差的健康感知。针对农村老年群体制定涵盖多维度健康相关因素的抑郁症筛查、早期诊断及治疗维持项目，是卫生系统应当大力推动的重要公共卫生举措。