title: [Clinical investigation on depression on a randomized and stratified sample in an elderly population].
abstract: The prevalence of depression in the elderly was investigated in a random stratified sample of 100 subjects from the general population of Appignano (Macerata, Regione Marche, Italy). After sampling with the simple random method, each subject underwent a diagnostic work-up including: a) three psychodiagnostic tests (Short Scale for the Assessment of Mental Health--SSAMH, Geriatric Depression Scale--GDS, and Scale for the Self-evaluation of Depression from the Psychogeriatric Interview--PGI) and b) psychiatric evaluation (according to DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria). Results were as follows: a) all the 3 tests (SSAMH, GDS, PGI) were suitable for the goals of this research, with a sensibility of 95.4%, 90.9%, and 95.4%, and a specificity of 90.4%, 88.9%, and 90.5%, respectively; b) the prevalence of depression in the sample was 25.9% (26.1% in females and 25.6% in males); c) the most common disorder was dysthymia, with higher percentage in females than in males (75% and 50% of all the depressive syndromes, respectively); d) the prevalence of depression was higher in females 60-69 years old and in males 70-79 years old.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Discipline Psichiatriche e Sociomediche, Università di Ancona.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paciaroni
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Marchesi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonaiuto
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turtù
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannandrea
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
vernacular_title: Indagine clinica sulla depressione in un campione randomizzato e stratificato di popolazione anziana.