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Prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia among nursing home residents without dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2019

Michele Fornaro*
Affiliation:
Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostolmatology, Section of Psychiatry, University School of Medicine ‘Federico II’, Italy
Marco Solmi
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Department, Psychiatry Unit, University of Padua; Psychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua Hospital, Italy; and Psychiatry and Psychology Department of the Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Spain
Brendon Stubbs
Affiliation:
Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; and Health Service and Population Research Department and the Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
Nicola Veronese
Affiliation:
National Research Council, Ageing Branch, Italy
Francesco Monaco
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, Section of Neuroscience, University of Salerno, Italy
Stefano Novello
Affiliation:
Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostolmatology, Section of Psychiatry, University School of Medicine ‘Federico II’, Italy
Andrea Fusco
Affiliation:
Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostolmatology, Section of Psychiatry, University School of Medicine ‘Federico II’, Italy
Annalisa Anastasia
Affiliation:
Camaldoli Hospital, Naples, Italy
Domenico De Berardis
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital ‘G. Mazzini’, Italy
André F. Carvalho
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; and Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH), Canada
Andrea de Bartolomeis
Affiliation:
Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostolmatology, Section of Psychiatry, University School of Medicine ‘Federico II’, Italy
Eduard Vieta
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychology Department of the Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Spain
*
Correspondence: Michele Fornaro, via Sergio Pansini n.5, Ospedale Policlinico II di Napoli, Edificio 18, Psichiatria, ZIP 80131, Naples, Italy. Email: dott.fornaro@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background

The elderly population and numbers of nursing homes residents are growing at a rapid pace globally. Uncertainty exists regarding the actual rates of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as previous evidence documenting high rates relies on suboptimal methodology.

Aims

To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and correlates of MDD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorder among nursing homes residents without dementia.

Method

Major electronic databases were systematically searched from 1980 to July 2017 for original studies reporting on the prevalence and correlates of MDD among nursing homes residents without dementia. The prevalence of MDD in this population was meta-analysed through random-effects modelling and potential sources of heterogeneity were examined through subgroup/meta-regression analyses.

Results

Across 32 observational studies encompassing 13 394 nursing homes residents, 2110 people were diagnosed with MDD, resulting in a pooled prevalence rate of 18.9% (95% CI 14.8–23.8). Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 97%, P≤0.001); no evidence of publication bias was observed. Sensitivity analysis indicated the highest rates of MDD among North American residents (25.4%, 95% CI 18–34.5, P≤0.001). Prevalence of either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia spectrum disorder could not be reliably pooled because of the paucity of data.

Conclusions

MDD is highly prevalent among nursing homes residents without dementia. Efforts towards prevention, early recognition and management of MDD in this population are warranted.

Information

Type
Review articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2019 
Figure 0

Fig. 1 PRISMA 2009 flow diagram.

MDD, major depressive disorder.
Figure 1

Table 1 Qualitative synthesis of records (n = 36 studies, n = 13 754 participants)a

Figure 2

Fig. 2 Major depressive disorder (MDD) prevalence among nursing homes residents.

Random-effect sensitivity meta-analysis. Studies were ranked from older to most recent indexing. Note, 9 out of 32 studies were indexed after the year 2010 (28% of the sample).
Figure 3

Fig. 3 Funnel plot.

The visual inspection of the funnel plot would exclude a publication bias as most of the original studies were located in the top tier of the plot, indicating the larger sampled studies with a lower standard error were overrepresented versus those with smaller sample sizes (bottom of the plot). Notably, the black diamond (cumulative effect size) upon trim and fill adjustment substantially overlaps with the non-adjusted one (clear diamond).
Figure 4

Table 2 Random-effect meta-analysis with sensitivity analyses of the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in nursing homes

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