Ahmad, I: Elderly Depression

Depression among elderly primary care patients is a serious problem with significant morbidity and mortality, yet it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of major depression and its associated risk factors among the elderly patients, age 60 and above attending outpatient clinic, Klinik Rawatan Keluarga at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. This study utilized M-GDS-14, the translated and validated version of GDS-15, to screen for elderly depression among Malaysian population. Out of 244 subjects, 34 or 13.9% were found to have depression. Elderly patient with any illness that limits the patient‘s activity or mobility has more risk of developing depression (OR 2.68 CI 1.15 - 6.24). Elderly patients who were satisfied with their personal incomes (OR 0.29 CI 0.10 - 0.85), and who had children or son/daughter-in-law to take care of them when they are sick (OR 0.10 CI 0.01 - 0.83) have a lower chance of having depression. Screening the elderly for depression, would help in diagnosing the elderly depression better and offer them the treatment needed.