[Depressive symptoms as a risk factor for dependence in elderly people].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and dependence in activities of daily living.


METHODS
Participants, aged 70 to 104 (n= 1 880), were evaluated twice (2001 and 2003). Depressive symptoms were established by a modified version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, whereas functional dependence was assessed with Lawton & Brody and Katz scales. Dependence implies the attendance and assistance of another person to accomplish the activity. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the effect of depressive symptoms on incident dependence.


RESULTS
At baseline, 37.9% had depressive symptoms. After two years, 6.1 and 12.7% developed functional dependence for one or more ADL and IADL, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that depressive symptoms were a risk factor to the development of functional dependence only for the instrumental activities for daily living.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for functional dependence. Systematic screening it seems necessary in the evaluation of geriatric patients.
Avila-Funes
José Alberto
JA
Clínica de Geriatría del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, DF. avilafl@quetzal.innsz.mx
Melano-Carranza
Efrén
E
Payette
Hélène
H
Amieva
Hélène
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors