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Prevalence of late-life depression at a primary care clinic in Christchurch.

Begg A, Richardson A, Wells JE.
New Zealand Family Physician 33(5): 319-22, 2006.
http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/Uploads/NZFP/Oct2006/Begg_Oct_06.pdf

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly patients attending general practitioner (GP) appointments at a primary care clinic in urban Christchurch. Alternate eligible patients aged 65 years and above attending GP appointments were interviewed after their appointments. The interviewer collected sociodemographic information and administered the 15 item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS- 15) followed by the Folstein Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants were also asked for consent for their GP to be asked about their current mood status. The response rate was 80.8% (80/99). The prevalence of significant depressive symptoms on the GDS-15 (using a cut-off of 5/15) was 10.0% (95% CI 4.4%-18.8%). GDS- 15 scores did not differ according to any of the sociodemographic characteristics recorded. Those reported as currently depressed by their GP had significantly higher GDS-15 scores than those reported as not depressed (mean GDS-15 score 3.90 compared to 1.38, p<0.01).

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