Depressive Symptoms in Institutionalized Elderly People and Factors Associated

The objective of the present study was exploring the factors associated with depressive symptoms in elderly people institutionalized. A cross sectional study was conducted; 276 elderly people of elderly welfare centers of Medellin-Colombia were analyzed. Demographics, capacity functional, anxiety, perceived health, social support networks, nutritional status and quality of life characteristics were evaluated. The depressive symptoms prevalence rate in the subjects was similar by sex an age (p > 0.05). The dependent elderly performing the activities of daily living had the upper percentages of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Risk of anxiety (OR = 2.74), cognitive impairment (OR = 2.82), iliteracy and women partially dependent (OR = 21.89) increased significantly the probability of depressive symptoms (p < 0.05). Therefore, the loss of roles, dependency status and diminishes quality of life increase the depressive symptomatology.