Prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors in elderly population of São Paulo

INTRODUÇÃO. Depressão é reconhecida como um grave problema de saúde pública, por ser a causa mais frequente de sofrimento emocional e redução da qualidade de vida. No entanto, são escassos os estudos que investigam depressão e fatores associados em idosos de países em desenvolvimento. OBJETIVO E MÉTODO. Estudo transversal de base populacional com 1563 indivíduos idosos (>= 60 anos) de três diferentes classes socioeconômicas (alta, média e baixa) da cidade de São Paulo. Os sujeitos foram avaliados em domicílio (fase de rastreamento ou fase I) e hospital (fase diagnóstica ou fase II). Este é um estudo de análise de dados, que descreve a prevalência observada de transtornos depressivos em idosos, investigando a associação com fatores sociodemográficos, comprometimento cognitivo e funcional (CCF), hábitos de vida e comorbidades clínicas. Os seguintes instrumentos foram aplicados: Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MMSE) e Bayer Activity of Daily Living (B-ADL); questionário da Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa de Mercado (ABIPEME); CAMDEX (Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination); escala para rastreio de depressão em idosos (D-10). O diagnóstico de depressão maior foi feito de acordo com o DSM -IV- TR. RESULTADOS. A amostra final consistiu em 1.563 idosos (68,7% mulheres e 31,3% homens). A idade média foi de 71,5 anos e 58,3% tinham escolaridade = 60 years) from three different socioeconomic classes (high, medium and low) of the city of São Paulo. The subjects were assessed at home (phase I or screening phase) and hospital (diagnostic phase or phase II). This is a study of data analysis, which describes the observed prevalence of depressive disorders in the elderly, identifying their relationship with sociodemographic factors, cognitive and functional impairment (CFI), lifestyle and clinical diseases. The following instruments were applied: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Bayer Activity of Daily Living (B- ADL) questionnaire of the Brazilian Association of Market Research (ABIPEME); Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination (CAMDEX); screening scale for depression in the elderly (D -10). The diagnosis of major depression was made according to DSM- IV -TR. RESULTS. The final sample consisted of 1563 elderly (68.7 % women and 31.3 % men). The mean age was 71.5 years and 58.3% had 4 or fewer years of schooling. The \"screen-positives\" for depression or the elderly with CSDS (n = 136) accounted for 13.0 % (95% CI: 11%-15%) of the sample. Major depression was diagnosed in 60 patients included in the second phase of the study. The prevalence was 3.8 % (95% CI: 2.8% to 4.7 %). In logistic regression stepwise models, a higher odds ratio of depression diagnosis was associated with female gender, being widowed, previous depressive episode, hypertension, use of psychotropic medication, cognitive and functional impairment, and alcohol use (potential risk factors). On the other hand, a lower odds ratio of depression diagnosis was associated with physical activity and going to cinema (potential protective factors). CONCLUSION. The prevalence of major depression is consistent with figures previously found in Brazilian and international studies. As 16 mentioned in the literature at the moment, our study confirms the association between depression and potentially modifiable factors, reinforcing the benefit of probable preventive measures, to incentive healthy lifestyles, leisure activities and the practice of physical exercise, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases, especially in primary care. In addition, significant association between major depression and cognitive and functional impairment encourages further longitudinal studies to better investigate this relationship and enable earlier interventions in populations at risk for developing psychiatric disorders and dementia, including Alzheimer\'s disease. Descriptors: depressive disorder, depressive symptoms, elderly, cross-sectional studies, epidemiology, prevalenc