An Arabic Version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (30 Items): Psychometric Properties and Some Findings in a Lebanese Elderly Sample

Background/Aim: Although the rates of depression and anxiety disorders have been shown to be higher in older people, especially those living in institutional settings, most of this population remains undiagnosed and untreated. The objective is to translate the full-scale Geriatric Depression Scale (30 items, GDS) into Arabic for use in elderly patients in Lebanon, to check its validity and reproducibility in comparison to the original version of the questionnaire, and assess the risk factors associated with depression in the Lebanese geriatric population. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between June and August 2016 and included 500 patients aged more than 60 years (250 living inside and 250 outside a nursing home). Results: Strongly positive correlations (p < 0.001 for all items of the scale) were found between each item of the scale and the total scale. The mean inter-item correlation for our scale was 0.51, higher than that of the original scale (0.36), with an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach a = 0.901). Living in a nursing home, stress, anxiety, being married, age, and the primary level of education would significantly increase depression (beta = 2.211, beta = 0.223, beta = 0.041, beta = 0.902, beta = 0.118, and beta = 3.533, respectively). A normal nutritional status and a university level of education would significantly decrease depression (beta = -0.732; beta = -1.961). Conclusion: The Arabic version of the GDS can be used to estimate the severity of depression in the Lebanese elderly population. Periodic screening for anxiety, nutritional status, and stress is also recommended among geriatric people living in Lebanon. (c) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel