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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Mood Disorders | Research

Symptoms of depression and risk of emergency department visits among people aged 70 years and over

Authors: Rosamond Dwyer, Kim Jachno, Thach Tran, Alice Owen, Natasha Layton, Taya Collyer, Maggie Kirkman, Judy Lowthian, Karin Hammarberg, John J. McNeil, Robyn L. Woods, Michael Berk, Jane Fisher

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Older people experiencing depression and anxiety have higher rates of health service utilisation than others, but little is known about whether these influence their seeking of emergency care. The aim was to examine the associations between symptoms of depression and the use of emergency health care, in an Australian context, among a population of people aged 70 years and over initially free of cardiovascular disease, dementia or major physical disability.

Methods

We undertook secondary analyses of data from a large cohort of community-dwelling Australians aged \( \ge \)70 years. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the association of symptoms of depression (measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale 10 question version, CESD at baseline) with subsequent episodes of emergency care, adjusting for physical and social factors of clinical interest. Marginal adjusted odds ratios were calculated from the logistic regression.

Results

Data were available for 10,837 Australian participants aged at least 70 years. In a follow-up assessment three years after the baseline assessment, 17.6% of people self-reported an episode of emergency care (attended an ED of called an emergency ambulance) in the last 12 months. Use of emergency healthcare was similar for men and women (17.8% vs. 17.4% p = 0.61). A score above the cut-off on the CESD at baseline was associated with greater use of emergency health care (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.11,1.64). When modelled separately, there was a greater association between a score above the cut-off on the CESD and emergency healthcare for women compared with men.

Conclusions

This study is unique in demonstrating how depressive symptoms among healthy older persons are associated with subsequent increased use of emergency healthcare. Improved understanding and monitoring of mental health in primary care is essential to undertake effective healthcare planning including prevention of needing emergency care.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Symptoms of depression and risk of emergency department visits among people aged 70 years and over
Authors
Rosamond Dwyer
Kim Jachno
Thach Tran
Alice Owen
Natasha Layton
Taya Collyer
Maggie Kirkman
Judy Lowthian
Karin Hammarberg
John J. McNeil
Robyn L. Woods
Michael Berk
Jane Fisher
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17794-6

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