Risk factors for depression in older adults in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to identify psychosocial, demographic and health risk factors associated with depression in older people. Design/methodology/approach A correlational study with 281 independent and autonomous persons of the community over 60 years old from Bogotá was conducted. The three instruments used to measure the variables included in the data analyses were Demographic and Health Data Questionnaire, Short version of 15 items of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA). Findings Fifteen percent of the participants presented depression. Depression was associated with different demographic, low social support and health factors in this population group and was particularly high in women. Being a woman with poor social support networks and a previous history of depressive episodes should be considered as determining factors within a clinical risk profile for depression in older adulthood. It is essential to design prevention strategies focused on women and on the development of better social support in old age. Originality/value Depression is a prevalent and highly disabling disease, when it is suffered by an older person it is associated with higher mortality, functional dependence, poor physical health, worse quality of life indicators and psychological well-being. In the elderly, the clinical diagnosis of depression is difficult, as it has a high comorbidity and is often confused with other health conditions prevalent during older adulthood.

Cognitive performance of depressed older people with cognitive decline

“…This indicates a greater presence of depression at the onset or in the course of pathological cognitive changes in the elderly. The first is related to the hypoactivity of dorsal neocortical structures and the hyperactivity of ventral limbic structures that occur during depressive states in the elderly and which have also been associated with cognitive difficulties such as slowed information processing (Lee et al , 2014; Sexton et al , 2013; Alexopoulos, 2002; Salazar et al , 2021).…”

“…Regarding the cognitive changes associated with depression, authors such as Korten et al (2014) and Lockwood et al (2002) reported that depressed adults have lower overall cognitive performances in comparison with their peers. Its affectation is associated with difficulties in the processes of sustained and divided attention (Rapp et al , 2005), decreased processing speed (Butterfield et al , 2010), difficulties in inhibiting motor and cognitive responses (Montes et al , 2012), alterations in planning and organization (Bounce et al , 2012), visuospatial and visuoconstructional errors (Foster et al , 2013), and especially, difficulties in episodic memory (Shimada et al , 2014; Rushing et al , 2014; Burns, 2014; Salazar et al , 2021).…”

Effects of Physical Health Status, Social Support, and Depression on Quality of Life in the Korean Community-Dwelling Elderly

“…The elderly living alone, accounting for 36.3% of the total 466 subjects, felt more alienated and isolated due to limited social activities by COVID-19, and as a result, the estimated score for depression was high. Depression in the elderly is associated with a high mortality rate and status of dependence, decreased physical health, and decreased quality of life [28]. Thus, it is necessary to enhance social support through emotional and social networks of the elderly and to help them lead a stable life in old age.…”