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Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of depression in an elderly population living with family members in Beijing, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2008

X. Ma ,
Y.-T. Xiang ,
S.-R. Li ,
Y.-Q. Xiang ,
H.-L. Guo ,
Y.-Z. Hou ,
Z.-J. Cai ,
Z.-B. Li ,
Z.-J. Li  and
Y.-F. Tao
...Show all authors
X. Ma
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Y.-T. Xiang*
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
S.-R. Li
Affiliation:
Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
Y.-Q. Xiang
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
H.-L. Guo
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Y.-Z. Hou
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Z.-J. Cai
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Z.-B. Li
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Z.-J. Li
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Y.-F. Tao
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
W.-M. Dang
Affiliation:
Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
X.-M. Wu
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
J. Deng
Affiliation:
Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
G. S. Ungvari
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
H. F. K. Chiu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Yu-Tao Xiang, Department of Psychiatry, Shatin Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China. (Email: xyutly@cuhk.edu.hk)
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Abstract

Background

To date, there has been no large-scale survey of geriatric depression (GD) involving both rural and urban areas in China using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of GD and sociodemographic correlates in urban and rural regions of Beijing, China.

Method

A total of 1601 elderly patients (aged ⩾60 years) were randomly selected and interviewed in Beijing using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected during the interviews.

Results

The overall 12-month prevalence of GD was 4.33%, and the 12-month prevalence rates for men and women were 2.65% and 5.83% respectively. The overall lifetime prevalence of GD was 7.83%, and lifetime prevalence rates for men and women were 4.65% and 10.66% respectively. Female sex, lower educational level, monthly income, rural abode, and the presence of one or more major medical conditions were associated with increased risk of GD. Of the GD subjects interviewed, 25.2% were receiving some type of treatment, with only 4.7% preferring to seek treatment from mental health professionals.

Conclusions

Although still relatively low by international standards, there is an increasing trend in the prevalence of GD in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for GD is a major public health concern that should be addressed urgently.

Keywords

Chinageriatric depressionprevalencesuicidetreatment
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 38 , Issue 12 , December 2008 , pp. 1723 - 1730
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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