title: Prevalence and gender differences in late-life depression: a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The worldwide phenomenon of an aging population combined with the increasing prevalence of depression in late life are issues that need to be addressed. This study aims to estimate the frequency of depression and subthreshold depression occurring in a sample of cognitively well-functioning, community-dwelling, older Italian adults and to investigate sociodemographic and clinical correlates of depression, exploring gender differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a cross-sectional analyses of survivors in a population-based study (the Faenza Project) that included 359 subjects aged 74 years and older (49.3% women). A modified version of Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of Elderly Persons-Revised was administered to all participants. Prevalence rates of depression and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated according to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision criteria. Statistical analyses were implemented to describe sociodemographic and clinical features associated with depression. Odds ratios were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, and the dependant variable was any type of depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of depression was 25.1% (95% CI: 20.6-29.6), with no evidence of gender difference. Prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe depression was 16.4% (95% CI: 12.6-20.2), 7.5% (95% CI: 4.8-10.2), and 1.1 (95% CI: -0.4-2.6), respectively. A rate of 5.6% of the population complained of subthreshold depressive symptoms. After age 81, depression occurrence decreased as age increased. The association between depression and functional measures, such as primary activity, mobility, and disability in performing household chores, were stronger in men than in women. Similarly, severely disabling conditions like stroke were more strongly associated with depression in men than in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest a disparity between men and women regarding the impact of depression on everyday life. Specific gender differences need to be taken into account for the evaluation of the depression-related burden in late life.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: claudia.forlani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forlani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Local Health Authority of Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalmonte
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menchetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ronchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Atti
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D058992:Social Participation; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Depression; gender differences; late life; population based