[Institutionalized elderly and depression: a multicenter observational study]

Scientific literature recommends nurses to use the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in the assessment of symptoms of depression among elderly with no cognitive deficits. The first purpose of this observational study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the related antidepressant therapy in a sample of institutionalized elderly people administering the 30 questions GDS (GDS 30). The second aim was to estimate the time to complete the test. The survey is a cross-sectional multicenter study. 115 cognitively intact elderly residents in 5 retirement houses in the province of Vicenza (Italy) were administered the 30 items GDS by nursing staff: 80 females with a median age of 83 years (Inter Quartile Range RIQ: 80-85) and 35 males with a median age of 79 years (RIQ: 73-85). The prevalence of depression was 46% (95% Confidence Interval: 37-55%). The difference in depression between males and females was not significant (p=0.646). The median of the total answering time was equal to 306 seconds (RIQ: 257-315). The answering time of the GDS in people taking antidepressants is higher with respect to those who do not take them. The GDS 30 is an useful tool for nurses to identify in a fairly short amount of time institutionalised individuals with no cognitive deficit and risk of depression.