OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the risk factors of geriatric depression, a longitudinal follow-up study was conducted on elderly population living in the community so as to provide evidence for the development of depression prevention and control.

METHODSA sampled population consisting 2506 elderly was selected from urban and rural communities in Beijing, using well-established sampling techniques as cluster, stratification and random selection. Data was collected by trained staff members, using standard survey instruments in 2000 and 2004.

RESULTSLongitudinal study showed that the four-year cumulative incidence of the geriatric depression in Beijing was 10.58%. Difference on were evident intelligence/education, with the rates for illiteracy (15.2%) and primary school (10.5%) significantly higher than that of junior high school and above (5.1%) (chi2 = 26.587, P = 0.000). Rates also varied substantially with place of residence, individuals living in rural areas had a substantially higher rate of depression (15.4%) than those individuals dwelling in urban district (6.1%) (chi2 = 31.163, P = 0.000). Poor self-rated health condition (chi2 = 23.385, P = 0.000), cognitive impairment (chi2 = 11.947, P = 0.001) and limitations in physical functioning (ADL: chi2 = 15.930, P = 0.000; IADL: chi2 = 9.501, P = 0.002) were related to the worsening of depressive symptoms. Results from logistic regression analysis indicated that education level, dwelling area, self-rated health condition and ADL were the independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONLower educational level, dwelling situation, poor self-rated health condition as well as ADL damage might increase the incidence of depression, suggesting more attention needs to be paid to improve somatic function of elderly in order to decrease the incidence of geriatric depression and to improve the prognosis of the disease and the quality of life.