Prevalence, role impairment, and mental health service utilization of depressive disorders among community-dwelling older adults in China - Summary - MDSpire
To investigate the prevalence, correlates, role impairment, and patterns of mental health service utilization for depressive disorders among older adults in Chinese communities.
Approach:
Study Design: Participants aged 60 years or older were drawn from the China Mental Health Survey (CMHS). Diagnoses were made using the DSM-IV-TR criteria and the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0.
Data Analysis: Weighted prevalence estimates for depressive disorders were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to examine associated factors, role impairment, and mental health service utilization.
Key Findings:
Weighted lifetime prevalence of depressive disorders was 7.9% (95% CI: 6.4%-9.5%) and 12-month prevalence was 4.1% (95% CI: 3.2%-4.9%) among community-dwelling older adults.
Having at least three physical illnesses was associated with higher odds of depressive disorders (OR = 11.4, 95% CI: 7.0-18.6).
Comorbid anxiety and substance use disorders were also linked to increased odds of depression (OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 5.5-12.8 and OR = 8.9, 95% CI: 3.9-20.0, respectively).
Role impairment affected household duties (67.9%), work (73.2%), relationships (62.2%), and social life (60.7%) among those with 12-month depressive disorders.
Only 11.3% of participants diagnosed with depressive disorders utilized mental health services.
Limitations:
The study may not capture all depressive subtypes due to the focus on DSM-IV-TR criteria.
The reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias in prevalence estimates.
