Self-perception of depressive symptoms, self-reported medical diagnosis, and associated factors: findings from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging, 2019-2021.

The prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed depression among Brazilian older adults was 12.2%.

• Data from 6,872 older adults were included in the analysis.
• Prevalence was 12.2% (95%CI 11.4; 13.0).
• Data were drawn from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), 2019-2021.
• The study employed a cross-sectional design.

Self-perceived depressive symptoms were reported at a higher prevalence than self-reported physician-diagnosed depression.

• Self-perceived depressive symptoms were reported by 15.6% (95%CI 14.7; 16.5) of participants.
• This prevalence exceeded that of self-reported physician-diagnosed depression (12.2%).
• Self-perceived depressive symptoms were also associated with self-reported physician-diagnosed depression.

Female sex was independently associated with higher prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed depression.

• Prevalence ratio for females was PR 2.23 (95%CI 1.80; 2.89).
• This was the strongest association found among the independent variables examined.
• Sex was included as a sociodemographic independent variable in the analysis.

Lower educational attainment (up to eight years of schooling) was independently associated with higher prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed depression.

• Prevalence ratio for individuals with up to eight years of schooling was PR 1.32 (95%CI 1.10; 1.61).
• Schooling was included as a sociodemographic independent variable.
• The association was statistically significant as indicated by the confidence interval not crossing 1.

Physical inactivity was independently associated with higher prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed depression.

• Prevalence ratio for those who did not engage in physical activity was PR 1.32 (95%CI 1.10; 1.57).
• Physical activity was included as one of the lifestyle-related independent variables alongside alcohol consumption and smoking.
• The magnitude of association was identical to that of lower schooling (PR 1.32).

Self-report was identified as a potentially valuable tool for addressing depression among older people when combined with objective methods.

• The authors noted a discrepancy between self-perceived depressive symptoms (15.6%) and self-reported physician-diagnosed depression (12.2%), suggesting potential underdiagnosis.
• The authors concluded that 'self-report may be a valuable tool, reinforcing the need for a hybrid approach that combines it with objective methods when addressing depression among older people.'
• The association between self-perceived depressive symptoms and self-reported physician-diagnosed depression was evaluated as part of the study outcomes.