Depression in elderly primary care attendees in Bahrain

Abstract EN

This is a study of depression in elderly patients attending primary health care in Bahrain.

The aim of the study was to determine the applicability of the Geriatric depression Scale (GDS 15) and assess the prevalence of depression among the elderly attendees of the primary health centers.

The GDS 15 was used as a screening tool and those who scored five or more on the Scale were re-interviewed to verify the presence of depression.

Results showed that the GDS 15 was a valid and reliable tool for detection of depression and found 23,1% of the study population had depression, females were 2,3 times more depressed than males, the mean age was 67,76 + 6,36 but no correlation was found between age and depression.

None of the diagnosed depressed patients were previously identified by the primary care physicians.

Lack of psychiatric training and insufficient time allocated for patients are among the main reasons for failed diagnosis