[Elderly depression in a Japanese leprosarium].
This report described the distribution of the patients who had been treated by psychiatrist in the National Tamazenshouen Sanatorium, a major leprosarium in Japan. We also investigated the characteristics of patients who had suffered a depressive episode during the last 5 years. Somatic symptoms were the predominant symptoms and were not limited to clinical signs unique to leprosy. The period of isolation was not significantly correlated with the geriatric depression scale. Forty-two residents had committed suicide since the leprosarium was established in 1909. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of psychosocial intervention to the residents.
Nishida
Masaki
M
National Sanatorium Tama Zenshoen, 4-1-1 Aoba-cho, Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 189-8550, Japan. masaki@danishida.com
Nakamura
Yukari
Y
Aosaki
Noboru
N
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007914:Leper Colonies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data