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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
[Depressive symptoms and health service utilisation among persons 50 years or older in Germany. A population-based
Markus A Busch1, Bruno Neuner, Marion C Aichberger
1Die Institute sind am Ende des Artikels gelistet. BuschM@rki.de
Objective:
To examine the association between depressive symptoms and the use of health services among people aged 50 years or older in Germany.
Methods:
Data came from the German subsample of the "Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)", comprising a nationally representative sample of 2890 German residents aged 50 years or older (mean age 65 years, 55 % women). The cross-sectional association between depressive symptoms (EURO-D scale ≥ 4 points) and health service use was examined by multivariable regression analysis.
Results:
Depressive symptoms were found in 21 % of respondents and were associated with a higher utilisation of health care services (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 4.3) and social care services (OR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.5 - 4.7) even after adjusting for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, cognitive function and indicators of physical health.
Conclusion:
Participants with depressive symptoms had a higher service utilisation independent of somatic comorbidity and other potential confounders.
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