Biomedical Research

Background: Patients with chronic diseases were often accompanied by negative psychological barriers. We conducted a survey of depression among chronic disease patients to investigate the overall prevalence of depression and related factors of depression.

Methods: 450 patients who were from our hospital from October 2016 to May 2017 were enrolled. A standard questionnaire was used to collect the following information: demographic characteristics and history of diseases. We assessed the depression status and quality of life of study subjects by using scales. Logistic regression was used to analyse the risk factors of depression.

Results: The prevalence of depression was 31.8%. The univariate analysis found that there were no significant differences in depression prevalence between female and male and age group (P>0.05). People with low educational level, more number of disease, from rural area, severe burden of diseases and less social support tend to have higher depression prevalence (P=0.000, 0.007, 0.001, 0.004, 0.006). The scores of social and role function and global health in the depression group were higher than that in the control group (P=0.000). The number of disease (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.67), burden of disease (2.35 for severe), and social support (OR=0.68) were independently associated with depression in elderly patients with chronic disease.

Conclusion: The overall incidence of depression disorders for elderly patients with chronic diseases is slightly higher. The clinical staff should pay more attention to the patients of lower education level, poor health care in rural areas and patients with severe burden disease and less social support.

Author(s): Ping Wu, Liang Li, Weijia Sun
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