Relationship betweeen the prevalence and affecting factors of depression symptoms in geriatric patients

The prevalence of depression symptoms in the old is high. This condition is an important public health problem in terms of both risk factors and its results. This study was carried out in order to determine the relationships betweeen the prevalence and affecting factors of depression symptoms in the old in Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Geriatric Policlinic. 100 volunteer patient included in ths study. 65 % of the old included in the scope of the study are female and 35 % of them are male; their average age is .15±6.77 (min:63-max: 94). 55 % of the old are married, 26.0% do not have any graduate from a school, and 25% have insufficent incame. According to GDS cutting point, the rate of the prevalence of depression symptoms is 39%. The prevalence of depression symptoms is high in avocation status, incame status, shelter status, psychiatric disorder and smoking status (p<0.05). Age groups, with a chronic disease, education status, gender, marital status, immobility do not affcet the prevalence of depression symptoms ( p>0.05). Consequently; the prevalence of depression symptoms in the old in admitted to our Geriatric Policlinic is high. With multidisciplinar approach, protective treatment and rehabilitation services should be organized by evaluating the risk factors related to depression in the old. Key Words: geriatrics, depression, geriatric depression, yesavage scale