Depression in Older People in Rural China

Abstract

Older people in rural China have a lower risk of depression than those in Western countries. Low socioeconomic status showed a "dose-response" relationship with depression, and social supports were much more common, which were protective for depression. Further exploration of Chinese culture and tradition may yield universal insights into preventive factors for depression in older people.

Proportion and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Elderly in an Urban Slum in Bangalore

“…13,19,21,30 In our study, life events such as conflicts in family, unemployment of self or children, illness of self, marriage of children or grandchildren are significantly associated with geriatric depression. The marriages of children or grandchildren were considered as stressful life events as they were a financial burden to the family.…”

“…However it was lower than Mumbai study carried out in an urban slum population (45.9 % 10 ). Studies from other developing countries report rates ranging from: 5.22 to 45.9 % [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] . Nevertheless, it indicates that there is considerable morbidity due to depression among elderly in India.…”

“…Contrasting findings were reported in other studies. [13][14][15]19 The possible reason for this is because of experiencing depressive symptoms as a reaction to being first diagnosed to be suffering from illness, but over a period of time, adjustment with the diagnosed 11,17 indicate that increasing age is associated with depressive symptoms among elderly. In our study, no such observations were observed as nearly 37 % in both under 75 and above 75 were depressed.…”

“…8 Published studies reveal that prevalence of depression among elderly in developing countries ranges from 5.22 to 45.9 %. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Recent estimates indicate that, in India, depression results in loss of 961,000 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) per year among elderly. 20 As depression is potentially treatable condition, a significant reduction in DALYs is expected.…”

“…Predominant factors associated with depression among elderly include medical comorbitidites, 14,19 impairments, 18,21 and adverse life events. 13,19 There is limited data about the prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly living in urban slums of developing country. This information is essential to formulate and implement community-based mental health interventional strategies.…”