Key result
Moderate/severe depression affects ~24% of older advanced CKD patients and is more common in women.
Why the study?
Older individuals with chronic kidney disease are highly susceptible to depression but are often excluded from clinical studies, and the utility of the Geriatric Depression Scale in this population needed evaluation.
Does the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) identify factors associated with depression and moderate/severe symptoms in older patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD?
Cross-Sectional (n=124)
Does the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) identify factors associated with depression and moderate/severe symptoms in older patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD?
Absolute Event Rate: 66.7% vs 37.3%
p-value: p=0.005
The Geriatric Depression Scale reveals a high prevalence of moderate/advanced depression in older patients with advanced CKD, with question 12 being particularly sensitive and specific.
Depression screening may warrant consideration in older advanced CKD patients; leaves open whether GDS-15 improves outcomes in prospective studies.
Introduction: Older individuals, particularly those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), are highly susceptible to depression, although this population is often excluded from clinical studies. The use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) can be useful in identifying symptoms of depression in this population. Objective: Our objective was to test the GDS as a tool for identifying factors associated with depression in older patients with CKD. Additionally, we aimed to identify which question had the best sensitivity/specificity in detecting moderate/severe symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 patients (≥ 70 years, stage 4 or 5 CKD) who were been followed in the Nephrology Service. GDS-15 classified patients in: no depression (scores 0-4), mild depression (scores 5-8), and moderate/severe depression (scores ≥ 9). Clinical and demographic data were collected from medical records. Results: The mean age was 84 years, 52.4% were male, and 55.6% had diabetes. The median global GDS score was 7 (6, 8), identifying the following patient groups: no depression (8.9%), mild depression (66.9%), and moderate/severe depression (24.2%). Moderate/severe depression was more prevalent in women (66.7% vs. 37.3%, p=0.005). The question that performed best in detecting moderate/severe depression was question number 12: “Do you feel worthless the way you are now?” Conclusion: The prevalence of moderate/advanced depression in older patients with CKD is extremely high. Question number 12 of the GDS showed the best sensitivity/specificity in identify these patients. Integrating the GDS into routine clinical practice may be important and clinically beneficial for this population.
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Bonatti et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=124). Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was evaluated on Moderate/severe depression in women vs. men (p=0.005). In older patients with advanced CKD, moderate/severe depression was identified in 24.2% of patients using the Geriatric Depression Scale, and was more prevalent in women (66.7% vs. 37.3%, p=0.005).
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