[The prevalence of depressive symptomatology in the german elderly population and the impact of methodical aspects on the identified prevalence].

OBJECTIVES

The issue of whether depression increases or decreases with age remains unclear. Methodical aspects play an important role in the research on depression in the elderly.

METHODS

In a representative survey of the German general population aged 50 years and older (n = 1.156) depressive symptomatology was assessed using the CES-D and the PHQ-2, generalized anxiety (GA) was assessed using the GAD-7.

RESULTS

According the CES-D 15.9 % and according to the PHQ-2 9.6 % of the population under study are classified as depressed. Prevalence rates increase with increasing age, but only few age groups show significant differences. The CES-D reveals higher prevalence rates than the PHQ-2. Nevertheless depending on the age group 3.6-7.8 % of the sample exclusively identified by the PHQ-2, and 9.0-14.9 % of the sample are exclusively identified by the CES-D. 4.8 (50-59 yrs.) to 10.3 % (80+ yrs.) report a moderate symptomatology of GA. GA is highly comorbid with depressive symptomatology.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence rates in our study are consistent with previous findings of other studies. Moreover our study underpins the importance of methodical aspects for the prevalence rates identified.