Depression in Late Life in Urban and Semi Urban Areas of South-west Greece

Introduction Depression is the most common mental health problem in late life. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of depression in the elderly and to investigate associations with risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among the members of four day care centers for older people (KAPI), three in the municipality of Patras, West-Greece and in one KAPI in the municipality of Tripolis, Peloponnese-Greece. A total of 378 individuals took part in the study. A questionnaire was developed to collect basic demographic data. Moreover, to all participants the Greek validated version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was applied, to screen for depressive symptoms. Results According to GDS-15, 48.1% of the studied population screened positive for depressive symptoms (38.6 % moderate, 9.5% severe). In 139 members of KAPI of Tripolis, depressive symptoms were more frequent in women than in men (62.9% vs 45.5%, p=0.012), in not married (85.6% vs 38.9%, p>0.001), in participants without children (91.7% vs 49.2%, p>0.001), in subjects suffering from insomnia (88.6% vs 6.7%. p>0.001), in participants with low monthly income (63.7% vs 25.8%, p>0.001) and in older adults with co-morbidity (62.4% vs 4.5%, p>0.001). In 239 members of KAPI of Patras, depression were more frequent in women (54.6% vs 37.4%, p=0.027), in not married (55.6% vs 38.9%, p=0.038), in subjects living alone (62% vs 38.1%, p=0.003) and in elderly with co-morbidity (50.8% vs 27.5%, p=0.02). Conclusions The present study reveals high prevalence and several risk factors for developing depression in the specific population of the elderly.