[Residual symptoms in elderly patients with depression]

To look for residual symptoms in patients older than 65 years diagnosed with depression, and to find out if there are more residual symptoms in relation to physical comorbidity and the number of visits made to a Primary Care Centre.

A descriptive, randomised and cross-sectional multicentre study, with a sample of patients attending 3 urban Health Primary Care Centres. Patients older than 65 years with a diagnosis of depression and who had received more than 3 months treatment were selected. Data was collected by means of questionnaires during personal interviews, which included universal data, time of onset, treatment recurrence, comorbidity, and residual symptoms. The Yesavage questionnaire, EQ-5D and VAS were also used.

Of 100 patients studied, 99% had residual symptoms, with 22% with 4 symptoms (from 10 asked). The most frequent symptom was the sadness (68%), followed by pain (55%), and loss of energy (55%).

The prevalence of depression found in our study was 13.8%, and a 99% had at least one residual symptom. Patients who lived as a couple and men (who performed more recreational activities) had a lower number of residual symptoms. No relationship was found between comorbidity and frequent use of Primary Care Centres with a higher number of residuals symptoms. The majority of patients suffered chronic depression (> 2 years). Benzodiazepines only were used as treatment in 18% of the patients.