An epidemiological survey on neuroses of urban elderly in Beijing

With Present State Examination (PSE)-12, PSE-54 and General Health Questionnaire-28, an epidemiological survey on neuroses in a sample aged 60 and over living in an urban area of Beijing showed that the prevalence of total neuroses was 20.56/1000 (35.27 in women and 3.98 in men), with the highest rate seen in those aged 60-64 years and a general decline in prevalence with increasing age. By subtype, it was 11.21/1000 for neurasthenia, 4.67/1000 for depressive neurosis and 2.80/1000 for anxiety neurosis. The onset age in the most patients was before the age of 60, with a course of 10 years or more. The implications of these findings and directions for the future study of neuroses in the elderly are also discussed.