title: Prevalence and risk factors of depression in the elderly nursing home residents in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression is a common health problem in elderly nursing home (NH) residents and is often under-recognized and under-treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rates of depression and identify the risk factors associated with depression in the elderly NH population in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 375 residents in six NHs in Singapore, aged 55 years and above, was assessed with the Structural Clinical Interview (SCID), based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria. The association of demographic, functional and health-related characteristics with depression was examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall point prevalence for depression in the elderly NH residents was found to be 21.1% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 17.1%-25.6%). The prevalence rate for minor depression in the elderly NH residents was 14.4% (95% CI: 11.1%-18.5%) and 6.7% (95% CI: 4.5%-9.8%) for major depression. Significant risk factors that were found to be associated with depression were length of stay for more than 2 years, known history of depression, pain, and no or lack of social contact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence rates for depression were high among NH residents in Singapore. More attention is needed to care for the psychosocial needs of elderly NH residents in Singapore.
authors: Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, 16 College Road, College of Medicine Building, Singapore. tiong_wei_wei@moh.gov.sg
authors: Wei Wei
authors: WW
authors: Tiong
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Yap
authors: Gerald Choon
authors: GC
authors: Huat Koh
authors: Ngan
authors: N
authors: Phoon Fong
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Luo
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support