Life expectancy without depression increases among Brazilian older adults

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate life expectancy with and without depressive symptoms in older adults for the years 2000 and 2010. METHODS We evaluated individuals aged 60 years or older (n = 1,862 in 2000 and n = 1,280 in 2010), participants of the Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE – Health, Wellbeing and Aging) study in in Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Depression was measured using the shorter version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15); respondents scoring ≥ 6 were classified as having depression. Estimates of life expectancy with and without depression were obtained using the Sullivan method. RESULTS Data from 2000 indicate that 60-year-old men could expect to live, on average, 14.7 years without depression and 60-year-old women could expect to live 16.5 years without depression. By 2010, life expectancy without depression had increased to 16.7 years for men and 17.8 years for women. Expected length of life with depression differed by sex, with women expected to live more years with depression than men. CONCLUSIONS Between 2000 and 2010, life expectancy without depression in Sao Paulo increased. However, older adults in Brazil, especially older women, still face a serious burden of mental illness.

【摘要】研究目的：估算2000年与2010年老年群体在伴与不伴抑郁症状状态下的预期寿命。研究方法：纳入巴西东南部圣保罗市健康、福祉与老龄化研究（Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento，简称SABE）的参与者，共纳入年龄≥60岁的个体，其中2000年样本量为1862例，2010年样本量为1280例。采用老年抑郁量表简版（Geriatric Depression Scale-15，GDS-15）评估抑郁症状，得分≥6分的受访者被归类为抑郁群体。采用沙利文法（Sullivan method）计算伴与不伴抑郁状态下的预期寿命。研究结果：2000年的研究数据显示，60岁男性无抑郁状态下的平均预期寿命为14.7年，60岁女性无抑郁状态下的平均预期寿命为16.5年。至2010年，男性无抑郁状态下的预期寿命升至16.7年，女性升至17.8年。伴抑郁状态下的预期寿命存在性别差异，女性伴抑郁的预期寿命长于男性。研究结论：2000年至2010年间，圣保罗市老年群体无抑郁状态下的预期寿命有所提升。但巴西老年群体，尤其是老年女性，仍面临沉重的精神疾病负担。