DEPRESSION IN ELDERLY– A PRIMARY CARE UNIT EXPERIENCE

Introduction and objectives: Depression in elderly is common. In general population, its prevalence is 14,9% (2001). It’s frequent, but in Portugal, there are few studies that analyze its prevalence, multi-morbidity and pharmacological treatment used. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence, co-morbidity and most prescribed antidepressants, in depression in eldelry, in our Primary Care Unit, Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Methods: Retrospective, transversal and descriptive study. Aleatory sample of a population with more than 65 years registered in our health care center. Inclusion criteria: “>65 years”, “P-76- Depressive disorder” as active problem, in January of 2015. Data source: Computerized clinical processes. The descriptive analyze was made in Excel® 2010. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of depression was 20,28%, and 30,2% of them had some problem in Z-group of International Classification Primary Care 2. This prevalence was similar comparing to international studies. Although, the definition of depression is heterogeneous among studies. To our clinical practice it is important to notice that many of elderly with depression had social problems. The multi-morbidity more frequent was arterial hypertension. We verify that Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor were more prescribed comparing to other antidepressants. The benzodiazepines were prescribed in 60,9% of the group with depression, which is a concern.