INTRODUCTIONThe aims of the study were to identify the prevalence and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of suicidal behaviours using data from a cross-sectional survey among those with major depressive disorder (MDD) in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) was a cross-sectional epidemiological study that surveyed Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged 18 years and above. The assessment of mental disorders was established using version 3.0 of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). For the purposes of this study, suicidal behaviour was assessed by questions which were asked to respondents who answered positively to the screening questions in the CIDI 3.0 "Depression" module.

RESULTSThe prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan and attempt among those with lifetime MDD was 43.6%, 13.7% and 12.3%, respectively. We found that suicidal ideation, plan and attempt were significantly associated with ethnicity, education and income. The rate of those who had sought some professional help was higher among those with suicidal plan (71.7%) and attempt (72.3%) as compared to those with suicidal ideation (48.7%) and those with MDD but no suicidal behaviour (29%).

CONCLUSIONIndividuals with MDD and suicidal behaviour do differ from their non-suicidal counterparts as they have a different sociodemographic and clinical profile. There is a need for more research and a better understanding of this population which in turn could lead to the development and implementation of relevant interventions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; complications ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide, Attempted ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONThe objectives of this current study were to: 1) examine the prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus (DM) among older adults (aged 60 years and above) in a multi-ethnic population; 2) examine the prevalence and correlates of comorbid DM and depression among them; and 3) assess the effect of comorbid depression on disability, cognition and healthcare utilisation.

MATERIALS AND METHODSData for the current study came from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study; a single phase, cross-sectional survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above. A total of 2565 respondents completed the survey; depression was assessed using the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT) while a diagnosis of DM was considered if respondents stated that a doctor had diagnosed them with DM.

RESULTSDM was reported by 25.5% of the population. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher in those diagnosed with DM than those without DM (6% vs 3%). After adjusting for sociodemographic correlates, smoking and other chronic conditions, DM remained significantly associated with depression and subsyndromal depression. However, after including measures of functioning and cognitive impairment as covariates, DM was not significantly related to depression and subsyndromal depression. Those with comorbid DM and depression were more likely to be of Indian and Malay ethnicity, aged 75 to 84 years (versus 60 to 74 years) and widowed.

CONCLUSIONGiven the significant association of certain sociodemographic groups with comorbid depression among those with DM, targeted interventions for prevention and early diagnosis in these groups should be considered.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Depressive Disorder ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Health Services ; utilization ; Humans ; India ; ethnology ; Malaysia ; ethnology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Severity of Illness Index ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

INTRODUCTIONDisability increases an individual's dependence and negatively impacts their physical, mental, and social functioning. The current study aims to establish the prevalence and risk factors of disability in Singapore's population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSData was extracted from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study. This cross-sectional study recruited participants aged 60 years and above (n = 2421) who were representative of Singapore's multiethnic population. We used the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 to assess the severity of disability in our sample while establishing its associations and correlations with cognitive levels, sociodemographic variables, and chronic illness.

RESULTSCognitive deficits, old age, female gender, Malay and Indian ethnicity, lack of education, retired or homemaker status, presence of chronic illness (specifically stroke, heart problems, depression, and dementia) were found to be significantly associated with disability in Singapore's elderly population. As hypothesised, participants with deficits in cognition were more likely to indicate higher WHODAS scores.

CONCLUSIONThe findings highlighted specific factors associated with disability in this multiethnic population. The identification of these factors would lead the way to the development of appropriate interventions.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dementia ; epidemiology ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Disabled Persons ; Educational Status ; Ethnic Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; epidemiology ; Humans ; India ; Malassezia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Retirement ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stroke ; epidemiology

INTRODUCTIONDepression is a significant public health issue across all sociodemographic groups and is identified as a common and serious mental health problem particularly among the older adult population. The aims of the current study were to determine the prevalence of depression and subsyndromal depression among older adults in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study was a comprehensive single phase, cross-sectional survey. Stage 1 Geriatric Mental State-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (GMS-AGECAT) depression syndrome was used for this analysis. Association of depression and subsyndromal depression with sociodemographic characteristics, social support as well as comorbidity with chronic physical illnesses and quality of life was assessed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of GMS-AGECAT depression and subsyndromal depression was 3.7% and 13.4%, respectively. The odds of depression were significantly higher among those aged 75 to 84 (2.1) as compared to those aged 60 to 74 years and in those who had a history of depression diagnosis by a doctor (4.1). The odds of depression were higher among those of Indian and Malay ethnicities (5.2 and 3.2 times, respectively) as compared to those of Chinese ethnicity. Those with depression and subsyndromal depression were associated with more disability, poorer life satisfaction, and medical comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests that the prevalence of depression seems to have decreased as compared to a decade ago wherein the prevalence of depression was estimated to be 5.5%. This positive trend can be ascribed to concerted efforts across various disciplines and sectors, which need to be continually strengthened, monitored and evaluated.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Chronic Disease ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Depressive Disorder ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; India ; Malaysia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Personal Satisfaction ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Social Support

INTRODUCTIONPatients with schizophrenia have shorter life expectancy and one of the main causes of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Modifiable risk factors for CVD include diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidaemia. This study aimed to establish: (a) the prevalence and correlates of DM and dyslipidaemia; (b) the proportion of those whose condition was well controlled; and (c) the incidence of undiagnosed DM and dyslipidaemia in a long-stay inpatient schizophrenia population.

METHODSData was collected to assess the physical health status of 110 inpatients with schizophrenia who had been in hospital for over one year. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis of physical and mental illnesses, and current medications was obtained from their medical records. The overall prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was based on diagnosis in the medical records, current medications and fasting blood test results.

RESULTSThe patient group was predominantly male (85.5%), with a mean age of 55.9 ± 9.9 (range 25-90) years. Overall prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was 19.1% and 62.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Malay (odds ratio [OR] 14.97) and Indian (OR 25.71) patients were significantly more likely to have DM when compared to Chinese patients.

CONCLUSIONIn comparison to the general population, the prevalence of DM and dyslipidaemia was found to be higher in inpatients with schizophrenia. However, the two chronic illnesses were well controlled in inpatients and few were undiagnosed, perhaps due to the regular monitoring, supervised diet and regular physical activities arranged for inpatients in the long-stay inpatient wards.

Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Prevalence ; Schizophrenia ; Singapore

INTRODUCTION: The current study aimed to estimate the overall prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of successful ageing, as defined by Rowe and Kahn, among a national sample of multiethnic adults aged 60 years and older in Singapore. METHODS: Data from older adults who participated in the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study was analysed. Successful ageing was defined with five indicators: no major diseases; no disability; high cognitive functioning; high physical functioning; and active engagement with life. RESULTS: The prevalence of successful ageing was 25.4% in this older population. Older adults aged 75-84 years and ≥ 85 years had 0.3 times and 0.1 times the odds of successful ageing, respectively, than those aged 60-74 years. Compared to older adults of Chinese ethnicity, those of Malay (odds ratio [OR] 0.6) and Indian (OR 0.5) ethnicities were less likely to be associated with successful ageing. Older adults with lower education levels, who had no formal education (OR 0.2), some schooling but did not complete primary education (OR 0.4) or only primary education (OR 0.5), had lower odds of ageing successfully than those with tertiary education. CONCLUSION Older adults in Singapore tend to have much more active engagement with life as compared to their counterparts from other countries. Further research into this population is needed, both in terms of qualitative research to gain a better understanding of successful ageing from the older adult's perspective, as well as longitudinal studies that explore behavioural determinants of successful ageing.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Cognition ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disabled Persons ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Health Services for the Aged ; Health Status ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Singapore ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires