Prevalence and risk factors of depression in hospitalised elderly people

Aim: To explore the prevalence of depression in hospitalised elderly people in Korea and describe the risk factors for depression among elderly people. Methods: This was a descriptive study in a cross-sectional design. A convenience group of participants (n = 111) from a tertiary hospital affiliated with a medical school participated in the study and answered questionnaire packets if they were hospitalised elderly people aged 65 years or older, able to respond to questionnaires, and agreeable to participating in the study. Six interviewers visited the participants in their rooms at their convenience, and collected data on depression and the 6 groups of riskfactors identified for depression. Results: The number of elderly patients with depression, measured using the Beck Depression Inventory, was 41 (36.9%). Associations were found between various factors and depression in the elderly - the lower the levels of education, social activity, family support, and self-esteem, the higher the levels of depressive mood. Conclusions: The current health care system in Korea does not routinely screen for depression in elderly people who are hospitalised due to medical illnesses. It is highly likely that depression in this group of elderly people may remain unnoticed and untreated, unless they strongly complain about it. Since untreated depression could lead to negative health outcomes or even suicide, there is a strong need for health care professionals in Korea to set up systems that can identify it as early as possible and that they pay more attention to this problem.