Anxiety and depression in lone elderly living in their own homes and going to geriatric clubs versus those living in geriatric homes

ABSTRACT

Anxiety and depression are common in elderly. Studies have shown a relatively low prevalence of anxiety disorders in older individuals. While, other studies have shown that among elderly, anxiety disorders occur two to seven times more often than depression problems. The rate of anxiety disorders may be even higher among elderly living in institutional settings. Of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in lone elderly living in their own homes and going to geriatric clubs regularly or living in geriatric homes. 164 lone elderly participants from geriatric clubs [group I] and 168 lone elderly participants from geriatric homes [group II] were included in this study. Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used for detection of anxiety and depression respectively. Were as follows The co-occurrence of anxiety and depression i 34.1% and 57.1% in group I and group II respectively, while depression per se is 22.0% and 23.8% and anxiety per se is 2.4% and 1.2% in group I and group II respectively [p < 0.001]. Living in geriatric homes and age group 60 to 70 are independent risk factors for anxiety, depression or mixed anxiety and depression. While, male gender is an independent risk factor for depression. In lone elderly, living in institutional settings such as geriatric homes is an independent risk factor for anxiety, depression or mixed anxiety and depression. Mixed anxiety and depression is more prevalent than anxiety or depression per se