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Factors associated with persistent risk of depression in older people following discharge from an acute cardiac unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2008

A. J. Hammond ,
S. Yu ,
K. Esa ,
J. Jabbour ,
L. Wakefield ,
P. Ryan  and
R. Visvanathan
A. J. Hammond
Affiliation:
Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
S. Yu
Affiliation:
Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
K. Esa
Affiliation:
Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
J. Jabbour
Affiliation:
Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
L. Wakefield
Affiliation:
Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
P. Ryan
Affiliation:
Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
R. Visvanathan*
Affiliation:
Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Discipline of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Associate Professor Renuka Visvanathan, Director of Aged and Extended Care Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville South, SA 5011. Phone: +61 8 8222 8594; Fax: +61 8 8222 8593. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: This longitudinal study aims to describe the prevalence and characteristics associated with persistent risk of depression in a group of older, hospitalized patients.

Methods: We examined patients at two time-points: baseline and one month post-discharge from hospital. Patients in this study comprised those who had been admitted to the cardiology unit, with no cognitive impairment, aged 60 years and over, and those who were followed up at both time points (N = 155). Questionnaires administered included risk of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale-15; GDS-15), cognitive impairment (Mini-mental State Examination), social support (7-Item Subjective Social Support Index), co-morbidity (Charlson's Comorbidity Index), sociodemographic variables, physical functioning (Modified Barthel's Index) and clinical variables.

Results: The prevalence of risk of depression (GDS-15 score ≥ 5) among older inpatients at baseline was 34%. At one month post-discharge this had fallen to 17% and this group was identified as those at persistent risk of depression. Factors associated with a risk of persistent depression were: hospitalization within the last six months; length of stay of four days or more; discharge diagnosis of angina; and impaired Subjective Social Support Score.

Conclusion: Depression occurs commonly among older hospitalized patients and may resolve spontaneously. The identification of factors associated with persistent risk of depression can be helpful when looking at which patients may benefit most from screening and treatment for depression after discharge.

Keywords

ageddepressionrisk factorshospitalization
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , August 2008 , pp. 738 - 751
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2008

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