J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2015 Oct;19(2):86-90. 10.0000/jkgp.2015.19.2.86.

The Distribution of Depressive Symptoms among the Community-Dwelling Elderly

• Ha U
• Jon DI
• Hong HJ
• Jung MH
• Kim MG
• Hong N

• KMID: 2186131
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkgp.2015.19.2.86

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was to understand the characteristics of depressive symptoms among the community-dwelling elderly.
METHODS
Through a community mental health mass screening program in senior society, 197 elderly were evaluated for depressive symptoms with Korean version of Short form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K). The subjects were grouped into normal or caution groups with a cut-off score of 6. The response rate and odds ratio were calculated and compared within each question.
RESULTS
Although they had low total score, many subjects in normal group have the symptoms of the question 2, 13, 5, 10, 7, 4 (in order). Question 12, 6, 8, 4, 14, 3 (in order) showed higher odds ratio in caution group than normal group. Questions belonged to a factor 'general depressive mood' scored much higher odds ratio than the other.
CONCLUSION
Even the elderly with low score in SGDS-K might complain of symptoms such as decreased level of energy, activities, interests, and memory. However the subjects with high score tend to report feeling more worthless, afraid, helpless, bored, hopeless, and empty. It can be helpful to know the distribution of depressive symptoms for providing careful mental health service to the elderly dwelling in the communities.

Keyword

Depression; Geriatric psychiatry; Community Mental Health Centers; Psychiatric status rating scales

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Community Mental Health Centers
Depression*
Geriatric Psychiatry
Humans
Mass Screening
Memory
Mental Health
Mental Health Services
Odds Ratio
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales