SOCIAL-STATUS, ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND AFFECTIVE-DISORDERS IN NONINSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY

Changes of the mood are closely accompanied by modifications of social state, distinctive alimentary behaviors and alcohol abuse. The purpos e of this study is to evaluate whether anxiety and depression are asso ciated with such aspects in the elderly. The study population consiste d of 834 elderly subjects living at home, 10 % of them were affected b y depression and 12 % were anxious. The diagnosis was established by h istory, physical and instrumental examinations, as well as by psychome tric tests. Using a detailed questionnaire, the social state, caloric intake and alcohol consumption were also investigated. All situations associated with loneliness of the elderly should be controlled, since they are often connected with mood impairments. Alcohol abuse does not seem to be associated with these troubles, while modifications of ali mentary habits resulting in an impairment in the quality of diet, are indicators of a possible presence of depression and/or anxiety.