Analysis of depression rates among elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents and its risk factors in Fuzhou

Abstract

Objective To investigate the rates of depression and its risk factors in elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents in Fuzhou. Methods 882 elderly primary hypertensive patients aged 60 years and over and 1230 healthy elderly residents were assessed by the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and a self-made general information questionnaire, and SPSS 16.0 was used to analyze data. Results The average score of depression and the incidence of depression were higher in elderly hypertensive patients than in healthy elderly residents〔(12.43±5.01) vs. (11.53±5.13), 64.4% vs. 55.3%, t=-3.849, χ2 =16.386, P<0.01〕. Compared with healthy controls, scores of depression were higher for all age groups in elderly married male patients, with low levels of education (junior middle school or below), a monthly income less than 2000 yuan, and partial or no medical insurance coverage (P<0.05 for all). Scores of depression were higher in elderly hypertensive patients who had smoking or drinking habits, social activity, hobby, or physical exercise than in healthy controls, (P<0.05 for all). Scores of depression were also higher in elderly hypertensive patients who had family support, barely enough or adequate family expenses or family support than in healthy controls, regardless of living conditions (P<0.05 for all). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that risk factors for depression in elderly hypertensive patients were family support, age, medical insurance coverage, family expenses, living conditions, hobbies, and gender, while risk factors for depression in healthy elderly residents were family support, interests, medical insurance coverage, and age. Conclusions The incidence of depression is higher in elderly hypertensive patients than in health elderly people in communityin Fuzhou. Family support, hobbies, medical insurance coverage and age are the common risk factors for depression in both elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents. Family expenses, living conditions and gender are important risk factors for depression in elderly hypertensive patients. Key words: Hypertension; Depression; Community health services