Experience with a Swedish version of the Geriatric Depression Scale in primary care centres.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to use a Swedish version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-20) for diagnosis of depression in the elderly in primary care.


METHODS
Elderly consecutive patients visiting two primary care centres (> or = 65 years of age; N = 1189) were rated by educated nurses using the GDS-20.


METHODS
All elderly patients attending two primary care centres in an urban-based community in the south of Sweden.


METHODS
Of the 1189 patients interviewed, 1002 were rated using the GDS-20.


METHODS
The GDS-20, and in 26 patients also the Geriatric Mental State Schedule--Depression Scale (GMSS-DS).


RESULTS
Of 1002 rated patients, 93 had scores of 5 or above on the GDS-20. Further analysis showed that 158 (13.3%) suffered from affective disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression in the elderly is underdiagnosed in primary care centres. A screening instrument such as the GDS-20 is of value in identifying the patients.
Gottfries
G G
GG
University of Göteborg, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Sweden.
Noltorp
S
S
Nørgaard
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*