Depressive disorders in elderly Chinese patients in Macau: a comparison of general practitioners' consultations with a depression screening scale.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in an elderly population using a screening scale; to assess general practitioner (GP) recognition of depression; to determine patient reasons for consultation; and to relate depression to social and...

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Publicado en:Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 336 - 345
Autores principales: Piterman L, Nogueira Dacanhota CM
Formato: research Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Jun2001
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Depressive disorders in elderly Chinese patients in Macau: a comparison of general practitioners' consultations with a depression screening scale.
      aug:
        au:
          Piterman L
          Nogueira Dacanhota CM
      sug:
        subj:
          Depression Diagnosis
          Ethnic Groups Psychosocial Factors
          Health Screening
          Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Statistics and Numerical Data
          Personality Assessment Statistics and Numerical Data
          Referral and Consultation
          Rural Population
          Aged
          China
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Depression Epidemiology
          Depression Psychosocial Factors
          Ethnic Groups Statistics and Numerical Data
          Family Practice
          Female
          Male
          Psychological Tests
          Psychometrics
          Reproducibility of Results
          Somatoform Disorders Diagnosis
          Somatoform Disorders Epidemiology
          Somatoform Disorders Psychosocial Factors
          Support, Psychosocial
          Human
          Aged: 65+ years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Objective: The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in an elderly population using a screening scale; to assess general practitioner (GP) recognition of depression; to determine patient reasons for consultation; and to relate depression to social and demographic factors. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on a systematic sample of elderly Chinese patients currently resident in Macau, who presented to general practices in December 1997. Data collected included patient demographics, economic and social supports, patient depressive status assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), reason for attendance, and the reason for the consultation. Clinical records were analysed in order to collect GP-registered morbidity and recent relevant management. Results: Data were collected from 386 elderly Chinese patients of 31 GPs (97% patient response rate). Patients presented with somatic symptoms rather than psychological issues. Using HAD cut-off score of >8, 47% of the population studied were depressed; with a HAD subscale score >11, 26.2% were depressed. Depression was detected more often in women (59%) and being female was associated with depressive status (p = 0.010). Age (greater than 75 years) was also associated with being depressed, as was not having someone to talk to (p = 0.037), and being from low social class (p = 0.050). Not having someone willing to listen to their problems, difficulties and worries, was significantly related to depression (p = 0.041). There were no referrals or antidepressive medications detected in the clinical charts. Conclusion: Participants' characteristics such as being over 75 years of age, being female and socially isolated were related to depression. General practitioners can play an important role in the early detection and management of psychological disorders. Although studies on a sample of Chinese patients in Macau cannot be generalized to Chinese populations elsewhere, awareness of somatic presentation of psychological illness is crucial in detecting depression in this and possibly other Chinese populations.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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