Unrecognized depression among the elderly: a cross-sectional study from Norwegian general practice

Abstract

Background: Depression is common in old age and is associated with disability, increased mortality, and impairment from physical diseases. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of depression among older patients in Norwegian general practice, to evaluate the extent they talk about it during their consultation, whether it was previously known or suspected by their GP, and how frequently patients with depression visit their GP. Design & setting: Cross-sectional study among patients and GPs at 18 primary care clinics in the south of Norway. Method: Patients aged ≥65 years who visited their GP were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The GPs reported what kind of issues the patient presented at the consultation, if a current depression was known, and the consultation frequency. Results: Forty-four (11.4%) of 383 patients reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms (PHQ 9 ≥10). Among the cases with data from both patient and GP (n = 369), 38 patients (10.3%) reported moderately depressive symptoms. Of these, only 12 (31.6%) mentioned psychological problems to their GP during their consultation; 12 (31.6%) with previous depression were neither known to the GP nor suspected of currently having depression; and 67.6% of them visited their GP ≥5 times a year. Conclusion: Older patients tend to speak little of their depression to the GP. Almost one in three older patients with moderate depressive symptoms were unrecognised by their GP. Older patients who frequently visit the GP should be suspected of potentially having mental health problems.