Prevalence and treatment of depressive syndromes among residents in a nursing home: Investigation in a rural area

The investigation aimed at assessing the prevalence of depression among residents in a nursing home. Methods: in a rural area of Germany a representative sample was examined by means of the "Brief Assessment Interview" (BAI). Results: 17% had a depressive disorder without dementia, 9% had a mild dementia syndrome and a depressive disorder; a total of 47% suffered from symptoms of dementia without depression. Most of the patients were treated by general practitioners or internists. 11% of the patients with depression were treated with antidepressants, 19% with neuroleptics, 17% with minor tranquillizers, and 17% with hypnotics. Only 20% of the depressive patients had ever been examined by a psychiatrist, 4% underwent an actual psychiatric therapy. Conclusion: Elderly patients with depressive disorders living in nursing homes need a more specific psychiatric treatment.