Factors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults in context of social vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly inserted in a context of high social vulnerability.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 302 elderly people enrolled in Primary Care. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Shor-form-6D Quality of Life Questionnaire and Medical Outcome Study Scale. For data analysis, a logistic regression was performed considering two groups, with and without depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A good perception of the quality of life (OR: 0.21) and receiving emotional support (OR: 0.98) were presented as protective factors for depression, have risks of malnutrition (OR: 4.87), belong to the female sex OR: 1.88) and living alone (OR: 2.34), indicated a predictor factor for depression.

CONCLUSION

Quality of life and social support were identified as protective factors for depressive symptoms while being at risk of malnutrition, living alone, reporting pain and being female are predictors.