Prevalence of Depression and Drug Use Pattern among Elderly People in Living in Old Age Homes in Kathmandu

Abstract

Among 150 respondents, 25 [16.67%] respondents were normal. Out of theses 25respondents, 98 [65.33%] and 27 [18%] respondents had mild and severe depression respectively according to GDS. Regarding the socio-demographic information of the respondents, 7.33% were of age 60-64yrs, 10.66% were of 65-69 yrs, 31.33% were of 70-79 yrs, and 51.33 were of >80 yrs. 100 percent of the elderly people were regularly using drugs, and the average patient was regularly using more than 21 drug classes. The most common classes of drugs used by the older people living in Old Age Homes were antihypertensive agents [9.33 %], vitamins [8.67 %], cardiac drugs [3.33%], cardiovascular dilators [2%], laxatives [6%], and tranquilizers [4%], diuretics [6.67%], and least class of drug used was sedatives i.e. [0.67%], and following drugs classes were hypnotics [6%], antidepressants [2.67%], anti-arrhythmic drugs [3.33%], pulmonary drugs [4.67%], antacids [5.33%] and anti-secretary agents [4%].
 Keywords: Old age homes, hypnotics, antidepressant, depression, drug pattern