Depressive morbidity among elderly individuals who are hospitalized, reside at long-term care facilities, and are under outpatient care in Brazil: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: i) To investigate studies published between 1991 and 2010 on the prevalence of depressive morbidity (major depressive disorder [MDD], dysthymia and clinically significant depressive symptoms [CSDS]) among elderly Brazilians assisted at healthcare facilities; ii) to establish the prevalence of depression and identify its related factors; and iii) to conduct a metaanalysis to assess the prevalence of depressive syndrome among elderly individuals assisted or hospitalized at healthcare facilities. Methods: Studies were selected from articles dated between January 1991 and June 2010 and extracted from the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases. Results: The final analysis consisted of 15 studies, distributed as follows: i) four sampled hospitalized patients, totaling 299 individuals, and found a prevalence of CSDS varying between 20 and 56%; ii) four sampled outpatients, totaling 1,454 individuals; the prevalence of CSDS varied between 11 and 65%, and the prevalence of MDD varied between 23 and 42%; and iii) seven sampled elderly individuals residing in long-term care facilities (LTCF), totaling 839 individuals, and the prevalence of CSDS varied between 11 and 65%. Conclusion: The present review indicated a higher prevalence of both MDD and CSDS among elderly Brazilians assisted at healthcare facilities.

Prevalência de sobrecarga e respectivos fatores associados em cuidadores de idosos dependentes, em uma região pobre do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

“…A se julgar pela capacidade funcional e cognitiva da maioria dos participantes, pode-se compará-los a indivíduos residentes em instituições de longa permanência, entre os quais a prevalência de depressão pode ser ainda mais elevada. Castro-de-Araújo et al 43 , em uma revisão com metanálise de estudos brasileiros, identificaram a ocorrência de sintomas depressivos clinicamente significativos em 65% de idosos institucionalizados, havendo associação entre depressão, sexo feminino, idade e demência. Tendo em vista a já estabelecida relação entre transtorno de humor depressivo e incapacidade 44,45 , a presença de todas essas características contribuem para justificar as taxas elevadas de depressão encontradas nesta pesquisa, assim como sua associação com a sobrecarga dos cuidadores familiares de idosos dependentes, identificada de forma independente em relação aos outros fatores.…”

Prevalência de sintomas depressivos entre idosos em um serviço de emergência

“…Além disso, foram utilizados instrumentos diferentes para mensuração dos sintomas depressivos, fatores que podem ter contribuído para a grande variabilidade na prevalência do transtorno na população estudada. 5 Apesar da alta prevalência de depressão, a doença ainda é bastante subdiagnosticada e não detectada, levando ao não tratamento dos sintomas. Os achados de pesquisa 6 realizada em um hospital universitário brasileiro mostram que, entre os idosos hospitalizados e com sintomas depressivos, apenas 3% tinham registro, em seus prontuários, sobre o diagnóstico psiquiátrico.…”

Association between sociodemographic characteristics and depressive symptoms in hospitalized elderly

“…Similar results were found in a study carried out with elderly people enrolled in the Family Health Strategy in which a negative relation between depression and widowhood was identified. The results of both studies are divergent from those found in the literature, since having a partner has been considered a psychosocial protective factor, promoting mutual support and coping with adverse situations (2)(3)(4)(5) .…”

“…In this group, depression is one of the most frequent chronic diseases that increases the possibility of developing functional incapacity, increased financial expenses, poor quality of life, and the use of health services, and can lead to the most severe outcome of the disease, i.e. suicide (1)(2)(3)(4) .…”

“…Living with the spouse or having a partner can be considered a psychosocial protective factor. Regarding health conditions, the prevalence of depression has been reported as non-related to coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke in the elderly (2)(3)(4)(5) . As for religion, a study carried out with elderly people in the Family Health Strategy identified that high scores in the religiosity index were not related to depressive symptoms (5) .…”