[Clinical investigation on depression on a randomized and stratified sample in an elderly population]

The prevalence of depression in the elderly was investigated in a random stratified sample of 100 subjects from the general population of Appignano (Macerata, Regione Marche, Italy). After sampling with the simple random method, each subject underwent a diagnostic work-up including: a) three psychodiagnostic tests (Short Scale for the Assessment of Mental Health--SSAMH, Geriatric Depression Scale--GDS, and Scale for the Self-evaluation of Depression from the Psychogeriatric Interview--PGI) and b) psychiatric evaluation (according to DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria). Results were as follows: a) all the 3 tests (SSAMH, GDS, PGI) were suitable for the goals of this research, with a sensibility of 95.4%, 90.9%, and 95.4%, and a specificity of 90.4%, 88.9%, and 90.5%, respectively; b) the prevalence of depression in the sample was 25.9% (26.1% in females and 25.6% in males); c) the most common disorder was dysthymia, with higher percentage in females than in males (75% and 50% of all the depressive syndromes, respectively); d) the prevalence of depression was higher in females 60-69 years old and in males 70-79 years old.