Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Depressive Disorder in Primary Care Patients Over 65 Years of Age

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressivesymptoms and depressive disorder (ICHPPC-2-defined) in patientsover 65 years of age. A cross-sectional, partly two-phased,study was performed in general practices in The Netherlands.A total of 384 consecutive patients aged 65 and above, 116 menand 265 women were included, both during practice visits andhome visits. Depressive symptoms were recorded with the ZungSelf-rating Depression Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale,and with physician ratings. Assessments of depressive disorderwere based on an adaptation of interview ratings with the MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale. The proportion of patientsconsidered to have depressive symptoms ranged from 11 to 29%of patients, depending on the self-report instrument and thecut-off point. According to interviews a depressive disorderwas estimated to be present in 17%. The high prevalence of depressivesymptoms and depressive disorder suggest a higher index of suspicionof depres sion in elderly general practice patients.