Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e fatores sociodemográficos associados a sintomas de depressão em idosos

Objective: To investigate the association between non-communicable chronic diseases and sociodemographic factors with symptoms of depression in elderly. Methods: Transversal study conducted with 1,391 elderly patients registered in the Family Health Strategy. Social--demographic and non-communicable chronic diseases data were collected by community health agents. Geriatric Depression Scale abbreviate was used to investigate symptoms of depression. Results: About 81% of all patients reported at least one non-communicable chronic disease. Symptoms of depression was associated with women, coronary disease, cardiac insufficiency and cerebrovascular accident; education ≥ 8 years and having a companion were shown to be protecting factors. Conclusions: Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular non--communicable chronic diseases are independently associated with depression. These results support the hypothesis that vascular disease is a risk factor for brain impairment associated with depression. This research illustrates the role of community health agents within Family Health Strategy as a tool for public mental health policy.