Factors related to depressive symptoms and self-reported diagnosis of depression in community-dwelling older Chileans: A national cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Aim The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of screening-positive depression and to identify the frequency and factors related to self-reported depression diagnosis in people with screen-positive depression.

Methods Using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), 4065 older Chileans were screened for depression. Social and health variables were included. Self-reported depression diagnosis and antidepressant use were analyzed according to screen-positive depression (GDS-15 >= 5). Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors related to screen-positive depression, and self-reported diagnosis and current antidepressant use.

Results Overall, mean age was 71.0 years, 60.9% women, and 71.4% had <= 8 years of education. 28.3% of the population screened positive for depression (mild: 21.7%; moderate-severe: 6.5%). Only 35.9% of screen-positive depression individuals self-reported a depression diagnosis (mild: 32.6%; moderate-severe: 47.0%), with significant differences between the sexes (women: 42.2%; men: 22.5%; P < .01). No education (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.20-3.32), multimorbidity (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.42-2.48), dependence (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 3.11-5.51) and pain (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 2.01-3.07) were related to screen-positive depression. In people screen-positive depression, men (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.35-0.65) and 80 years or older were less likely to self-report depression diagnosis (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.23-0.54), and current antidepressant use (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14-0.70).

Conclusions A high prevalence of depressive symptoms and low agreement with self-reported depression is observed. There is a need to increase the diagnosis of depression especially in men and people 80 years or older.