PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IN PRIMARY-CARE PATIENTS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive sym ptoms and depressive disorder (ICHPPC-2-defined) in patients over 65 y ears of age. A cross-sectional, partly two-phased, study was performed in general practices in The Netherlands. A total of 384 consecutive p atients aged 65 and above, 116 men and 268 women were included, both d uring practice visits and home visits. Depressive symptoms were record ed with the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, the Geriatric Depressio n Scale, and with physician ratings. Assessments of depressive disorde r were based on an adaptation of interview ratings with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The proportion of patients considered to have depressive symptoms ranged from 11 to 29% of patients, depend ing on the self-report instrument and the cut-off point. According to interviews a depressive disorder was estimated to be present in 17%. T he high prevalence of depressive symptoms and depressive disorder sugg est a higher index of suspicion of depression in elderly general pract ice patients.