Factors associated with depressive symptoms measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire in community-dwelling older adults (The Bambuí Health Aging Study).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate factors associated with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.


METHODS
This study evaluated 1,510 participants of the Bambuí Health Aging Study baseline. The dependent variable was the presence of depressive symptoms assessed by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and predictive variables were sociodemographic characteristics, social support network, lifestyle and health conditions.


RESULTS
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 38.5% (12-item General Health Questionnaire > or = 5). Depressive symptoms were positively and independently associated with female gender (PR = 1.15; 95%CI 1.01-1.33), aged 80 years or over (PR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.02-1.54) compared with 60-69 years, single (PR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.02-1.46) or separated (PR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.03-1.65) marital status, less than 4 years of schooling (PR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.04-2.00), self-reported global health (reasonable: PR = 1.84; 95%CI 1.45-2.34; bad or very bad: PR = 2.44; 95%CI 1.91-3.12), incapacity or great difficulty in performing daily activities (PR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.22-1.57) and complaint of insomnia in the last month (PR = 1.77; 95%CI: 1.22-1.99).


CONCLUSIONS
The similarities between factors associated with depressive symptoms in this population and in others do not explain the high prevalence rates previously reported in Bambuí. These findings may guide efforts to investigate others factors to elucidate the etiopathogenesis of depression in this population.
Castro-Costa
Erico
E
Public Health and Ageing Research Group, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. castro-costa@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Lima-Costa
Maria Fernanda
MF
Carvalhais
Sandra
S
Firmo
Josélia O A
JO
Uchoa
Elizabeth
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors