Factors influencing depression markers in elderly primary healthcare center patients in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, 2017.

Abstract

to analyze factors influencing depression markers in elderly patients at primary healthcare centers (PHC) in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, in 2017. this was a cross-sectional study carried out with elderly individuals at PHCs in Maringá city; we used a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic questions, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); we analyzed associations and compared depression markers with sociodemographic variables and health conditions. 645 elderly people took part in the study; those with the highest depression markers had lower income, poor health perception, a history of falls and three or more comorbidities; the physically active elderly had lower depression markers. monthly income and health conditions are factors that influence depression markers; doing light physical activities is associated with lower tendency of depression in the elderly.