[Depressive symptoms and health service utilisation among persons 50 years or older in Germany. A population-based cross-sectional study]

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between depressive symptoms and the use of health services among people aged 50 years or older in Germany.

Methods: Data came from the German subsample of the "Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)", comprising a nationally representative sample of 2890 German residents aged 50 years or older (mean age 65 years, 55 % women). The cross-sectional association between depressive symptoms (EURO-D scale ≥ 4 points) and health service use was examined by multivariable regression analysis.

Results: Depressive symptoms were found in 21 % of respondents and were associated with a higher utilisation of health care services (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 4.3) and social care services (OR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.5 - 4.7) even after adjusting for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, cognitive function and indicators of physical health.

Conclusion: Participants with depressive symptoms had a higher service utilisation independent of somatic comorbidity and other potential confounders.