Factor analysis of depressive symptoms and occurrence of falls among the elderly
- Autores: Amanda Gilvani Cordeiro Matias, Marilia S. Andrade, Marcos Antonio de Almeida Matos
- Localización: Scientia Medica, ISSN-e 1980-6108, Vol. 25, Nº. 1, 2015
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
Aims: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and correlate them with self-reported falls among the elderly using the Yesavage-15 Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2014. Elderly volunteers from the Community Center for the Elderly located in Vitória da Conquista, State of Bahia, Brazil, participated in the study. They were selected by non-probability convenience sampling and answered the GDS-15 questionnaire after being informed about the study objectives and signing a free consent form.
Results: A total of 68 elderly individuals with a mean age of 73.12±7.1 years were included in the study, and female participants accounted for 60.3% of the sample. Depressive symptoms were detected in 35 (51%) individuals, among which 23 (33.8%) were female. Falls were self-reported by 33 elderly individuals (48.5%). There was a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.383, p <0.001) between self-reported falls and depressive symptoms among the participants. The internal consistency of the GDS-15 was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded an acceptable value (0.73). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was used to verify the applicability of the GDS-15, yielding a value of 0.658, which means the scale was adequate for the factor analysis method. Two factors, into which eight items were grouped, stood out after the factor analysis and were able to explain 68% of the total variance of the GDS-15.
Conclusions: The prevalence of depression was relevant. The dimensions of anxiety, anhedonia, fear, isolation, and apathy showed the largest factor loads. The correlation between self-reported falls and depressive symptoms was significant. The data indicate it is necessary to pay special attention to the mental health of the elderly and also highlight the importance of the early detection of depressive symptoms, thus allowing for preventive measures.
