Comorbidity of depression in the elderly : An epidemiological study in a chinese community

This is an epidemiological study on the comorbidity of depression in a random sample of 1062 elderly Chinese aged 65 and over in Singapore, using the Geriatric Mental State (GMS) schedule and the data analysed by the computerized diagnostic program AGECAT. The overall prevalence of current (30-day) depression was estimated to be 6.0% (males 5.9%, females 6.1%). There were comorbid psychiatric disorders, predominantly anxiety, in 45.3% of depressed elderly. Using DSM-III-R criteria, the prevalence of major depression was 5.2% and dysthymia 0.2%, with comorbid psychiatric disorders, mainly generalized anxiety disorder, in 40% of major depression. The risk factor profile of the elderly with pure and comorbid depression showed significant differences. A past history of depression and lower level of education were risk factors for comorbid depression-but there was no significant difference between the two groups in sex, age, marital status or living arrangement.