Key result
Depressive symptoms affect ~36% of chronically ill frail elders, linked to functional and cognitive impairment.
Why the study?
The elderly with chronic illness are at high risk of depression, but the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in this population require description.
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among frail, chronically ill elderly individuals, which is significantly correlated with functional limitations, cognitive impairment, and self-perception.
Supports depression screening in frail elders; hypothesis-generating for targeting functional and cognitive factors.
The elderly who suffer from chronic illness are at unusually high risk of depression and depressive symptoms. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of chronically-ill elders and to examine the relationship between physical illness and depression, both as it is illuminated in a regression model and as it is understood by the respondents themselves. Interviews were conducted with a random sample of 100 clients in a community-based care program for low-income elderly at risk of nursing home placement. Over one-third of the sample (36%) reported significant depressive symptoms, as measured by the CES-D. Multiple regression analysis identified functional limitations, cognitive impairment and self-perception as significant correlates of depression in a model that explained 30 percent of the variance in CES-D scores.
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Barusch et al. (1999) conducted a cross-sectional in Depressive symptoms (n=100). Functional limitations, cognitive impairment, and self-perception was evaluated on Significant depressive symptoms (CES-D). Significant depressive symptoms were reported by 36% of chronically-ill frail elders, with functional limitations, cognitive impairment, and self-perception explaining 30% of the variance in scores.
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