Factores asociados a sintomas depresivos en adultos mayores institucionalizados

Introduction: Several studies indicate an increase in depressive symptoms in hospitalized or home resident old adults (OA), which is increased with the feeling of anxiety, tension, anguish and suffering. Objective: To determine factors associated to depressive symptoms in institutionalized OA. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study in OA, of both sexes, residents in 4 long stay facilities for OA (ELEAM), of the Metropolitan Region, Chile. Participants were selected for convenience, with or without physical and mental autonomy. Each participant underwent an anthropometric evaluation and a Mini nutritional assessment (MNA), Katz index, Yesavage exam were applied to determine depression, excluding those who had dementia, Cornell test was applied, and factors of stay were evaluated. and psychosocial. Results: 140 OA were evaluated, 73.6% corresponded to women, 53% are underweight according to BMI, and 74% at risk or undernourished according to MNA-SF, 75% have some degree of dependence and over 50% consume more than 3 medications per day. 23.6% of them were applied the Yesavage depression survey and 76.4% the Cornell test, 77.5% presented some degree of depression. Bad mood, gastrointestinal problems, sadness and anxiety are the most common symptoms. Having sporadic family visits is negatively associated with depression (OR: 2.9, 95% CI 1.09-8.23), and there is a trend as a protective factor against depression having a BMI> 18.5 (OR: 0.19, 95% CI 0.33-1.12). Conclusions: Half of the OA in residents present depressive symptoms, the main factor being associated with depression are sporadic visits (less than 1 time a week) and a tendency of low weight in OA.