Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel
Abstract Objectives Depressive symptoms are often undetected, particularly among older adults. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the prevalence, characteristics, and patterns of depressive symptoms among older adults residing in the community in Israel, and their health-care uti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00374-5 |
| _version_ | 1819017237757952000 |
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| author | Netta Bentur Anthony David Heymann |
| author_facet | Netta Bentur Anthony David Heymann |
| author_sort | Netta Bentur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives Depressive symptoms are often undetected, particularly among older adults. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the prevalence, characteristics, and patterns of depressive symptoms among older adults residing in the community in Israel, and their health-care utilization. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 2502 members of one HMO in Israel, aged 65+. They were interviewed by telephone with the GDS-15 scale, which serves as the gold standard for depressive symptoms. Data from the computerized medical records of the HMO were added to the interview file, including the diagnosis of depression, purchase of antidepressant medication and use of services. Results The average age of respondents was 73; 54% were women. They tended to be older, living alone, suffering from falls and from sleep disorders, and to have poor subjective health status. 24% scored 6+ on the GDS scale. A significant association was found between a GDS score of 6+ and increased hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room and/or to family physicians and specialists. Conclusion We found a high prevalence of depression. Its negative effects on the individual and increased costs to the health system, supports the screening and treatment of the disease in the older population. This problem should be a national priority, with screening and treatment becoming part of the national quality of care indicators which would then be implemented by the HMOs as part of an integrated disease management program for the elderly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:00:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c7e30d5614c4aa4abe416e3fbcc5593 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-4015 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:00:20Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c7e30d5614c4aa4abe416e3fbcc55932022-12-21T19:18:11ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152020-06-01911610.1186/s13584-020-00374-5Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in IsraelNetta Bentur0Anthony David Heymann1Stanley Steyer School for Health Professionals, Tel-Aviv UniversityThe Department of Family Medicine, The Sackler School of Medicine, University of Tel AvivAbstract Objectives Depressive symptoms are often undetected, particularly among older adults. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the prevalence, characteristics, and patterns of depressive symptoms among older adults residing in the community in Israel, and their health-care utilization. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 2502 members of one HMO in Israel, aged 65+. They were interviewed by telephone with the GDS-15 scale, which serves as the gold standard for depressive symptoms. Data from the computerized medical records of the HMO were added to the interview file, including the diagnosis of depression, purchase of antidepressant medication and use of services. Results The average age of respondents was 73; 54% were women. They tended to be older, living alone, suffering from falls and from sleep disorders, and to have poor subjective health status. 24% scored 6+ on the GDS scale. A significant association was found between a GDS score of 6+ and increased hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room and/or to family physicians and specialists. Conclusion We found a high prevalence of depression. Its negative effects on the individual and increased costs to the health system, supports the screening and treatment of the disease in the older population. This problem should be a national priority, with screening and treatment becoming part of the national quality of care indicators which would then be implemented by the HMOs as part of an integrated disease management program for the elderly.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00374-5Depressive symptomsOlder adultsPoint prevalenceIsrael |
| spellingShingle | Netta Bentur Anthony David Heymann Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel Israel Journal of Health Policy Research Depressive symptoms Older adults Point prevalence Israel |
| title | Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel |
| title_full | Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel |
| title_fullStr | Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel |
| title_short | Depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in Israel |
| title_sort | depressive symptoms and use of health services among older adults in israel |
| topic | Depressive symptoms Older adults Point prevalence Israel |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00374-5 |
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