J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2002 Sep;41(5):758-766.

The De Facto Mental Illness in Korean Elderly

• Cho MJ

Abstract

Depression, dementia, and other psychiatric disorders of the aged persons are usually chronic and recurrent. These make the daily lives of the eldrly very troublesome. These mental disorders will demand more and more attention from the elderly health care systems. Dementia is present in 6.26-11.3% of Korean elderly. Prevalence of Alzheimer's type is 4.17-5.3%, and that of the vascular dementia is 1.05-2.5%. Prevalence of major depressive disorder in the elderly aged 65 years and older is 4.2-7.5%, and that of dysthymic disorder is 2.0-3.9%. Depressive symptoms are reported up to 7-23.5% of older adults according to the survey methods and sample groups. Alcoholism, sleep disorders and other mental health related conditions are also important concerns but have not been as well studied as depression and dementia. In this review, we examined the prevalence and incidence of major mental disorders based on the national epidemiological data of Korean elderly. Therefore we hope that this perspective gives supports to the development of educational plans of geriatric psychiatry. And, hopefully, the present data help the government and NGOs establish and promote the policy for the health of the aged population.

Keyword

Korean; Elderly; Mental illness; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged*
Alcoholism
Surveys and Questionnaires
Delivery of Health Care
Dementia
Dementia, Vascular
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major
Dysthymic Disorder
Geriatric Psychiatry
Hope
Humans
Incidence
Mental Disorders
Mental Health
Prevalence
Sleep Wake Disorders