Depresión y satisfacción con la vida en personas mayores de 60 años en Bogotá: Encuesta de Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE)

Background There are multiple factors associated with suicide in elderly people and include, among others, depression, loss of independence, medical comorbidities, not being satisfied with life, or loss of hope. Objective To describe the prevalence of depression in a representative sample of the population over 60 years old and its associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional study (Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Aging) was conducted in 2012. A structured questionnaire and the Yesavage depression scale were used in order to complete a descriptive analysis, as well as a chi-squared test of independence. Results The prevalence of depression was 26.3%. The associated factors are being female, low education, not receiving a pension, hypertension, a diagnosed mental illness, having had hunger in the first 15 years of life, and in the last week, no leisure activities, and worse self-perception of health. People, who are not satisfied with their lives, who do not feel that it is wonderful to live, and those who feel hopeless, are at increased risk of depression. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of depression, and various factors associated with it, as previously reported in the literature. Poor life satisfaction was shown to be a factor related to depression.