Depression and Anxiety among Older people in Central Africa: EPIDEMCA population-based study.

Abstract : Introduction The burden of depression and anxiety is poorly documented in Central African populations. Objectives To present the epidemiology of depressive and anxiety disorders among older people in two Central Africancountries. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in Republic of Congo (ROC) and Central AfricanRepublic (CAR) between 2011 - 2012 among people aged ≥ 65 years (EPIDEMCA study). Data were collectedusing a standardized questionnaire and participants underwent a brief physical examination. Depression andanxiety symptoms were ascertained using a community version of the Geriatric Mental State (GMS-B3).Probable cases were defined as having a GMS-AGECAT score ≥ 3. Logistic regression models were used toinvestigate the association between potential risk factors collected and presence of at least one of bothsymptoms. Results Overall 2002 participants were included in the EPIDEMCA study. Median age of the participants was 72 years[interquartile range: 68 – 78 years] and 61.8% were females. Prevalence was 38.1% (95% Confidence Interval:35.9% - 40.2%) for depression, 7.7% (95% CI: 6.5% - 8.9%) for anxiety. In total 40.1% had least one of bothsymptoms. In multivariable models, the following factors were associated with the presence of at least one ofboth symptoms: female sex, residence area, frailty, cognitive disorders, a high happiness score (protective) andhypertension (adjusted Odds Ratios from 1.3 to 1.7; p<0.01). Conclusions In light of the high prevalence of both psychiatric symptoms among Central African older people, evidence ontheir epidemiology is important for better management and policy planning.