Prevalence and Incidence of Depression in the Thai Elderly

ORAPUN THONGTANG, M.D.*, SANGCHANDRA VUTHIGANOND, M.D.*, KANOKRAT SUKHATUNGA, M.Sc.*, PRAKOB POOVIBOONSUK, M.D.**, THIENCHAI NGAMTHIPWATTHANA, M.D.*, SIRIRAT KOOPTIWOOT, M.D.*, SUDSABUY CHULAKADABBA, M.D.*, SUCHEERA PHATTHARA YUTTA WAT, Ph.D.*

Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, ** Department ofPhamarcology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

AbstractThe purposes of this study were to study the prevalence and incidence of depression in elderly Thais. A field survey study was implemented. The sample consisted of 1,713 elderly people in 35 communities from 4 districts surrounding Siriraj Hospital Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Taling Chun and Bang Plud. These areas are the peripheral part of Bangkok and most of them have extended family. The Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) and the Thai Mini Mental State Exami nation (TMSE) were used as screening tests, for data collection.
The prevalence of depression was 12.78 per cent, of which 8.23 per cent had only depres sive symptomatology (male 5.43%, female 9.63%) while 4.55 per cent had both depression and cognitive impairment (male 2.8%, female 5.54%). The point incidence (one year) of depression was 7.27 (male 1.58%, female 5.68%).
The major contributing factors in depression were financial, poor family relationships and physical illness. The prevention and management of these factors may bring about a better quality of life for the elderly in Thailand.

Keywords : Prevalence, Incidence, Depression, Thai Elderly

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