Abstract

CALDERON M, Diego. Epidemiology of depression in the elderly. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2018, vol.29, n.3, pp.182-191. ISSN 1018-130X.  http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20453/rmh.v29i3.3408.

Depression and dementia are the most prevalent neuro-psychiatric diseases in the elderly. Depression on this type of population is influenced by biological and social factors that are modifiable. A review of the literature was carried out since the year 2000 with the goal of contributing to the knowledge of the epidemiology of depression in the elderly. It was found that the prevalence varies according to the locality, country and also according to the tool used for the diagnosis. It is clear from the exposure of risk factors that the family, society and government should take specific actions to alleviate the modifiable factors such as social care and the improvement of quality of life of the elderly.

Keywords : Depression; prevalence; risk factors; quality of life.

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