title: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older in China: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to find the status and prevalence of depressive symptoms among the population aged 60 years and above in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies in older population. Epidemiological studies on depressive symptoms published in Chinese journals were identified manually and online by using the Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Studies published in English journals were identified using Medlars Online.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 32 eligible studies were included in this review. The analysis showed that the pooled prevalence (with 95% confidence interval) of depressive symptoms for the seniors in China was 22.7% (confidence interval: 19.4-26.4%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older was a little higher in women (24.2%) than in men (19.4%), in rural (29.2%) than urban (20.5%) areas, and in western (30.5%) than eastern (19.5%) areas. In addition, the prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased with increasing levels of education. However, it did not increase gradually with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older in China was a little high, and it was varied by gender, age, area, and education level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Yaodong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data