Prevalence and influencing factors of depression symptom among middle-aged and elderly people in China

Objective To analyze prevalence and influencing factors of depression symptom among middle-aged and elderly people in China and to provide evidences for making policy on depression prevention.Methods Using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS,2013),depression symptom among middle-aged and elderly people was measured with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and binary logistic model and multivariate analysis model were adopted in the analyses.Results Among the middle-aged and elderly people surveyed,the average CESD-10 score was 7.83±5.78 and 31.2%(4 815/15 421)were detected with psycho-logical disorders.There was a significant difference in the detection rate of depression symptom among the participants living in different regions (P<0.001),with the lowest rate for the participants in Beijing municipality (4.3%,3/69) and the highest in Qinghai province (56.85%,88/155).Multivariate regression analysis showed that the female participants,the participants living alone,with low education,living in western China,with rural residential registry,not being a communist party member,less frequently involved in social activity,smoking,not consuming alcohol drinks,with more chronic diseases,and with impaired instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) were more likely to have high CESD-10 score and risk of depression symptom (all P<0.05).The detection rate of depression symptom increased first and then declined with the increment of age among the participants,with the highest detection rate among the man aged 47.9 years and the women aged 55.5 and the highest CESD-10 score among the man aged 55.4 years and the women aged 57.9 years,respectively.Conclusion The detection rate of depression symptom is relatively higher among middle-aged and elderly people in China and intervention measures to promote mental health should be implemented among the population.