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Original ArticleOpen Access
Prevalence and Incidence of Depression in the Thai Elderly
Thongtang O 
,
Vuthiganond S ,
Sukhatunga K ,
Pooviboonsuk P ,
Ngamthipwatthana T ,
Kooptiwoot S ,
Chulakadabba S ,
Phattharayauttawat S
,
Vuthiganond S ,
Sukhatunga K ,
Pooviboonsuk P ,
Ngamthipwatthana T ,
Kooptiwoot S ,
Chulakadabba S ,
Phattharayauttawat S The purposes of this study were to study the prevalence and incidence of depression in
elderly Thais. A field survey study was implemented. The sample consisted of 1,713 elderly people
in 35 communities from 4 districts surrounding Siriraj Hospital Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Taling
Chun and Bang Plud. These areas are the peripheral part of Bangkok and most of them have
extended family. The Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) and the Thai Mini Mental State Exami-
nation (TMSE) were used as screening tests, for data collection.
The prevalence of depression was 12.78 per cent, of which 8.23 per cent had only depres-
sive symptomatology (male 5.43%, female 9.63%) while 4.55 per cent had both depression and
cognitive impairment (male 2.8%, female 5.54%). The point incidence (one year) of depression was
7.27 (male 1.58%, female 5.68%).
The major contributing factors in depression were financial, poor family relationships and
physical illness. The prevention and management of these factors may bring about a better quality
of life for the elderly in Thailand.
Key word : Prevalence, Incidence, Depression, Thai Elderly
elderly Thais. A field survey study was implemented. The sample consisted of 1,713 elderly people
in 35 communities from 4 districts surrounding Siriraj Hospital Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Taling
Chun and Bang Plud. These areas are the peripheral part of Bangkok and most of them have
extended family. The Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) and the Thai Mini Mental State Exami-
nation (TMSE) were used as screening tests, for data collection.
The prevalence of depression was 12.78 per cent, of which 8.23 per cent had only depres-
sive symptomatology (male 5.43%, female 9.63%) while 4.55 per cent had both depression and
cognitive impairment (male 2.8%, female 5.54%). The point incidence (one year) of depression was
7.27 (male 1.58%, female 5.68%).
The major contributing factors in depression were financial, poor family relationships and
physical illness. The prevention and management of these factors may bring about a better quality
of life for the elderly in Thailand.
Key word : Prevalence, Incidence, Depression, Thai Elderly
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