What Characterizes Depression in Old Age? Results from the Bruneck Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (04) ◽  
pp. 153-160
Author(s):  
Michaela Defrancesco ◽  
Raimund Pechlaner ◽  
Stefan Kiechl ◽  
Johann Willeit ◽  
Eberhard Deisenhammer ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Depression in old age is associated with functional disabilities, cognitive impairment, lower self-rated quality of life, and increased mortality. The aim of the study was to reveal the prevalence of depression and to investigate the characteristics of patients treated with antidepressants. Methods We analyzed data from the Bruneck Study 2010. All participants completed a clinical examination, cognitive screening, the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) (cutoff score of>8 to define relevant depressive symptoms), and the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHO-QoL). Group differences were calculated using binary logistic regression analysis. Results Out of 456 participants (mean age of 73.1±8.2 years), 22.1% showed depressive symptoms, and out of these, 30% were taking antidepressants. The depressed group compared to the GDS ≤8 group showed significantly lower WHO-QoL (p<0.001) and Mini Mental State Examination (p=0.015) score. Further, 13% of the latter compared to the GDS>8 group received antidepressants, and these had a lower WHO-QoL score (p<0.033). Discussion Depressive symptoms are frequent in the elderly population. Our results confirm the negative influence of depressive symptoms on cognition and quality of life. Patients with somatic comorbidities are likely to receive more antidepressant medication.

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Marinho da SILVEIRA ◽  
Mirna Wetters PORTUGUEZ

Abstract The development of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and a decrease in cognitive performance can affect older adults’ quality of life. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze quality of life and determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression symptoms in senior center participants. A total of 120 older adults living in the city of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil, participated in this study. The convenience sampling technique was used. All participants answered questions relative to socio-demographic variables, quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref), cognitive performance (Addenbrooke’ Cognitive Examination), and emotional state (Geriatric Depression Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory). The prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment were low indicating satisfactory quality of life of the older adults investigated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Cristina Sechi ◽  
Loredana Lucarelli ◽  
Laura Vismara

Background. Women with fibromyalgia (FM) commonly suffer from depression, pervasive fatigue, and pain. The attachment style has been hypothesized to be an important factor for understanding the experience of these symptoms. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study is aimed at investigating the effect of attachment styles in women with a diagnosis of FM on depressive symptoms and quality of life. Method. Participants were 453 Italian women with a physician’s diagnosis of FM with a mean age of 47 years ( SD = 10.9 ). To assess attachment styles, quality of life, and depressive symptoms, women responded, respectively, to the Relationship Questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory II. Results. Our results showed that the incidence of depressive symptoms was elevated, with 59% of women reporting moderate to severe symptoms. Also, the statistical analyses showed that both preoccupied and avoidant/dismissing attachments were related with depression symptoms and low perception of QoL. Conclusions. Our study demonstrates that, when evaluating the impact of FM on the QoL of women, it is important to consider the complexity of the variables that are at play. Insecure attachment styles and depressive symptoms seem to increase the likelihood of the psycho-social-somatic malaise in FM women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-309
Author(s):  
Szekeres Tamás ◽  
Hargitai Rita

Bevezetés: Az időskori depresszió gyakran aluldiagnosztizált, noha a vezető pszichés problémát jelenti ebben az életkorban. A Rövid Geriátriai Depresszió Skála (GDS-SF) az időskori depresszió tüneteinek felmérésére alkalmas kérdőív, amelyet gyakran alkalmaznak nemzetközi viszonylatban a klinikumban. Célkitűzés: Jelen tanulmány célkitűzése kettős. Elsődleges célja a 15 tételes Rövid Geriátriai Depresszió Skála (GDS-SF) hazai normatív mintán történő tesztelése és az alkalmazásával szerzett tapasztalatok közreadása. Másodsorban arra a kérdésre keressük a választ, hogy az idősek mintáján van-e protektív szerepe az online tér használatának a depresszió vonatkozásában. Módszerek: A keresztmetszeti, kérdőíves kutatásban 65 éves és afeletti életkorú vizsgálati személyek önkéntesen vettek részt, az adatokat anonim módon, papír–ceruza alapon (n = 142) és online (n = 167) formában gyűjtöttük. A kérdőív validálásához az Egészségügyi Világszervezet Rövidített Életminőség Kérdőívét, a Rövidített WHO Jól-Lét Kérdőívet, valamint a Zung Önértékelő Depresszió Skálát használtuk. A válaszmeghamisító tendenciák szűrésére a Caprara-féle Big Five Kérdőív Szociális Kívánatosság alskáláját alkalmaztuk. Eredmények: A parallel-elemzés eredménye egyfaktoros struktúrát jelez, és az egyetlen faktor az összvariancia 64,8%-át magyarázza. A kérdőív megbízhatósága kiváló (Cronbach-α = 0,95). A GDS-SF az elvárásoknak megfelelő irányú és mértékű korrelációt mutatott a validáláshoz alkalmazott mérőeszközökkel: a GDS-SF és az életminőség alfaktorai közötti korrelációs együttható (r) értéke –0,59 és –0,61 közötti (p < 0,001), a jólléttel –0,71 (p < 0,001), míg a Zung Önértékelő Depresszió Skálával 0,74 (p < 0,001). A papíralapú és az online adatgyűjtésben részt vevő vizsgálati személyek körében nem találtunk szignifikáns különbséget a depreszszió előfordulási gyakoriságában, amennyiben kontroll alatt tartjuk az életkor és az iskolai végzettség hatását. Következtetések: A 15 tételes Rövid Geriátriai Depresszió Skála magyar verziója megbízható és érvényes eszköz az időskori depresszió mérésére normatív mintán, miközben a klinikai minta vonatkozásában további vizsgálatok szükségesek. Introduction: Geriatric depression is the leading mental disorder among the older population, although it is often underdiagnosed. The Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form) (GDS-SF) is a screening tool designed to measure depressive symptoms in older adults and is used by clinicians globally. Objective: The primary objective of the study is the psychometric testing of GDS-SF among pensioners, as well as to present our experiences with using the questionnaire on a Hungarian sample. The secondary objective of the study is to explore whether the use of online space is a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms in this population. Methods: A total of 309 participants took part in this cross-sectional study, all of them above the age of 65, with full anonymity granted to all involved. The questionnaire was available in paper-based (n = 142) and online (n = 167) format as well. For the validation of GDS-SF, the Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Abbreviated WHO Well-Being Questionnaire, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale were used. The Social Desirability Scale of the Caprara Big Five Questionnaire was used to filter out response distortion tendencies. Results: The results of the parallel analysis of the questionnaire supported a one-factor structure design, with 64.8% of the variance explained. According to the validity analysis, GDS-SF showed sufficient direction and degree of correlation with the questionnaires used for comparison and was in accordance with our a priori assumed direction and degree of correlation. Upon examination we discovered that the GDF-SF has a correlation coefficient (r) between –0.59 and –0.61 (p < 0.001) with the quality of life subfactors, –0.71 (p < 0.001) with wellbeing, and 0.74 (p < 0.001) with Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. The reliability of the survey also proved to be excellent. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of depression between the two groups (paper-based and online), when controlling for the effects of age and level of education. Conclusions: The Hungarian version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring depressive symptoms in the older normative adult population. Regarding the clinical sample, further exploration is needed.


Psico-USF ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josieli Piovesan ◽  
Silvana Alba Scortegagna ◽  
Ana Carolina Bertoletti De Marchi

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the Quality of Life (QOL) and the presence of the depressive symptoms in mothers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants included 40 women, between 28 and 72 years old, married, with medium-low income and education levels, and with children between 10 and 40 years old. The instruments used were a social demographic and health characterization questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BDI-II and BHS), and the Baptista Depression Scale Adult Version (EBADEP A). The quality of life and the presence of depressive symptoms in mothers did not show significant correlation with the child's age. However, there was high and negative correlation between the quality of life and high levels of depressive symptoms and moderate correlation between environment and income. It concludes the necessity of preventive and therapeutic interventions for these mothers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaki V ◽  
Suzaily W ◽  
Abdul Hamid AR ◽  
Hazli Z ◽  
Azmawati MN

Introduction: Auditory hallucination (AH) is often unexplored in depth in clinical practice. This study sought to ascertain the relationship between AH, depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) and its association with socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This was a cross sectional study done in a psychiatry unit involving 60 schizophrenic patients between 18 to 60 years old. Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale – Auditory Hallucination subscale (PSYRATS-AH), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were used as instruments. Results: Alcohol intake was found to be significantly associated with the severity of AH. A significant moderate positive correlation was found between AH total score and CDSS (r=0.53, p<0.001) and moderately high correlation between emotional characteristics subscale with CDSS (r=0.651, p<0.005). The PSYRATS-AH dimensions; amount of distress (r=0.721, p<0.001) and intensity of distress (r=0.757, p<0.001) showed significant high correlation with CDSS. As for QOL, frequency of AH (r=-0.419, p<0.01) and CDSS (r=0.435, p<0.01) showed significant moderate negative correlation, while duration, loudness, amount and intensity of distress, disruption to life and controllability of voices had significant fair correlation with QOL. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of AH (p=0.047), controllability of AH (p=0.027) and depressive symptoms (p=0.001) significantly predict QOL. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that each dimension of AH had different contributions towards depressive symptoms and the QOL in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, appropriate treatment focusing on the specific dimension of AH not only may reduce depressive symptoms, but may also improve QOL of these patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Xin Bo ◽  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Dong-Ying Zhang ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Pei-Hong Wang ◽  
...  

Background: This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) and its association with quality of life (QOL) among pregnant and postnatal women in China.Methods: In this multi-center, cross-sectional study, 1,060 pregnant and postnatal women from eight hospitals were assessed. Depression and QOL were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire - brief version, respectively.Results: The prevalence of depression was 7.45% (95% CI: 5.87–9.04%) in the sample. Women with depression had lower QOL in physical, psychological, social and environmental domains compared to those without. Women with physical comorbidities were more likely to suffer from depression (OR = 2.391, 95% CI = 1.384–4.130, P = 0.002).Conclusion: Due to its negative association with QOL, increased attention should be paid to depression in pregnant and postnatal women. Regular screening assessment and preventive measures should be adopted to reduce risk of depression in this population.


2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Leenen ◽  
Michael Rufer ◽  
Hanspeter Moergeli ◽  
Hans-Jörgen Grabe ◽  
Josef Jenewein ◽  
...  

Aus Untersuchungen in der Normalbevölkerung ist bekannt, dass Menschen mit erhöhten Alexithymiewerten eine verminderte Lebensqualität (LQ) aufweisen. Für Patienten mit psychischen Störungen wurde dieser Zusammenhang jedoch kaum untersucht. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den möglichen Zusammenhang zwischen alexithymen Patientenmerkmalen und der LQ bei Patienten mit Angststörungen zu überprüfen. Bei 79 ambulanten Patienten mit Angststörungen wurden alexithyme Charakteristika mit der Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), die LQ mit der Kurzversion des World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire 100 (WHOQOL-BREF) erfasst. Darüber hinaus fand eine Erhebung der psychischen Symptombelastung (SCL-90-R) und depressiven Symptomatik (MADRS) statt. Mittels hierarchischer Regressionsanalysen wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der alexithymen Charakteristika und den unterschiedlichen LQ-Domänen berechnet. Die Patienten zeigten eine im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung deutlich verminderte LQ. Als Hauptergebnis fand sich, auch nach Kontrolle von Depression, Ängstlichkeit und Geschlecht, ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden TAS-20 Subskalen Schwierigkeiten, Gefühle zu identifizieren und zu beschreiben und vor allem der psychischen LQ. Unsere Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, bei der Diagnostik und Therapieplanung von Patienten mit Angststörungen alexithyme Merkmale einzubeziehen. Im Falle von ausgeprägten alexithymen Merkmalen sollten psychotherapeutische Interventionen zur Verbesserung der Schwierigkeiten Gefühle wahrzunehmen und zu kommunizieren in Betracht gezogen werden.


Crisis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Sarfati ◽  
Blandine Bouchaud ◽  
Marie-Christine Hardy-Baylé

Summary: The cathartic effect of suicide is traditionally defined as the existence of a rapid, significant, and spontaneous decrease in the depressive symptoms of suicide attempters after the act. This study was designed to investigate short-term variations, following a suicide attempt by self-poisoning, of a number of other variables identified as suicidal risk factors: hopelessness, impulsivity, personality traits, and quality of life. Patients hospitalized less than 24 hours after a deliberate (moderate) overdose were presented with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression and Impulsivity Rating Scales, Hopelessness scale, MMPI and World Health Organization's Quality of Life questionnaire (abbreviated versions). They were also asked to complete the same scales and questionnaires 8 days after discharge. The study involved 39 patients, the average interval between initial and follow-up assessment being 13.5 days. All the scores improved significantly, with the exception of quality of life and three out of the eight personality traits. This finding emphasizes the fact that improvement is not limited to depressive symptoms and enables us to identify the relative importance of each studied variable as a risk factor for attempted suicide. The limitations of the study are discussed as well as in particular the nongeneralizability of the sample and setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Orlova ◽  
Galina Dikke ◽  
Gisele Pickering ◽  
Eliso Djobava ◽  
Sofya Konchits ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of magnesium (Mg)-vitamin B 6 replenishment and its correlation with clinical status in pregnant women (PW), and quality of life in women with hormone-related conditions (HRCW) and hypomagnesemia (HME). Data collected in four observational studies were pooled and analysed. All women received Mg supplementation for 4 weeks. The proportion of women with normalized Mg level, and the correlation between serum Mg dynamics and number of symptoms/complaints (PW) or changes in World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire scores (WHOQOL; HRCW) were evaluated. 869 PW and 957 HRCW were included in the study. Normalization of serum Mg level to ≥ 0.66 mmol/L occurred in 92.1% of PW and 78.4% of HRCW, and to ≥ 0.8 mmol/L in 73.8% and 58.9%, respectively. Mg normalization was accompanied by a median decrease of 1 symptom and 1 complaint in PW. Serum Mg level increase by 0.1 mmol/L was associated to significant changes in the WHOQOL scores in HRCW. Treatment of HME with the Mg for approximately 4 weeks provided a high response rate of Mg serum level, was associated with an improvement in symptom severity and complaints in PW, and WHOQOL score in HRCW. A 0.8 mmol/L cut-off appeared to be more relevant in terms of patient-reported outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Mello dos Santos ◽  
Fernando Neves Hugo ◽  
Andréa Fachel Leal ◽  
Juliana Balbinot Hilgert

Objective: To investigate if there is convergent validity between the dimensions of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-Bref) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 872 elderly Southern-Brazilians was evaluated. Questionnaires assessing socio-demographic data and quality of life in general (WHOQOL-Bref) and oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) were used. Analysis of the WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 questionnaires used descriptive statistics. The dimensions of the WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 questionnaires were correlated by affinity. The convergence between WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 dimensions was analyzed by Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: The social relations dimension of the WHOQOL-Bref presented the greatest mean (18.24 ± 2.30). The physical pain dimension of the OHIP-14 presented a median of 1.0 (0.0 – 3.0). All correlations between the WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 dimensions were significant, negative and associated with a low magnitude. The correlation between WHOQOL-physical and OHIP-functional limitation, OHIP-physical pain, OHIP-physical disability and OHIP-handicap were – 0.164, – 0.262, – 0.196 and – 0.125 respectively. WHOQOL-psychological was associated with OHIP-psychological discomfort and OHIP-psychological disability, and WHOQOL-social showed an association with OHIP-social disability. Conclusions: All correlations analyzed had a positive association of low magnitude. Despite the fact that the WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 instruments have related dimensions, they measure physical, psychological and social relations differently.


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