Abstract
To detect the prevalence of mental disorders among the elderly residents of an urban area. A sample of 327 elderly residents (60 years and older) of the city of Montes Claros, in northern Minas Gerais, was selected by means of probabilistic sampling, in multiple strata, within a homogeneous stratum. The sample unit was the home. Mental disorders were determined by means of the Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule (SPES). Univariate analysis was done via the chi-squared test and multivariate analysis via logistical regression. The estimated prevalence of mental disorders was 29.3%. Their presence was associated with female sex, number of illnesses, functional capacity and place of residence (shantytown/non-shantytown). Comparing the results with other community studies, the prevalence of mental disorders among the elderly in the urban area of Montes Claros was high and was associated with multiple illnesses, incapacity and poverty. This reality is a matter for concern because of its impact on quality of life relating to this population's health, and on healthcare services over the next few decades.
Highlights
The growth of the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon, and is especially affecting developing countries.[16,17,19]The Demographic Yearbook of 1997 showed that Brazil has one of the biggest elderly populations in the world
Over the 20 years, the elderly population in Brazil may reach over 30 million people and will represent almost 13% of the total population at the end of this period.[7,13,16,17,19] population has caused an increase in the number of people at risk of acquiring neurological and psychiatric diseases.[3,12]
Aging may result in the presence of a multiplicity of diseases, losses and incapacities with consequent deterioration of health among the elderly.[3,13,14,15]
Summary
The growth of the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon, and is especially affecting developing countries.[16,17,19]. The Demographic Yearbook of 1997 showed that Brazil has one of the biggest elderly populations in the world. Over the 20 years, the elderly population in Brazil may reach over 30 million people and will represent almost 13% of the total population at the end of this period.[7,13,16,17,19] population has caused an increase in the number of people at risk of acquiring neurological and psychiatric diseases.[3,12] Aging may result in the presence of a multiplicity of diseases, losses and incapacities with consequent deterioration of health among the elderly.[3,13,14,15] Various factors that are associated with aging may predispose towards the development of mental disorders, especially dysthymic symptoms.[3,11]. Mental disorders are common and correspond to 8% of diseases.[8] They were already being described by Hypocrites in Ancient Greece
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