[Assessment of severity of depressive symptoms using the Polish version IA of Beck Depression Inventory in healthy men, inhabitants of Wrocław]

Abstract

Background: Aging is accompanied by progression of depressive symptoms, which significantly impair the prognosis and quality of life of elderly men. Currently, there are no Polish reference values reflecting age-related changes in the intensity of depressive symptoms in healthy men.

Aim: An assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms in a population of healthy Polish men, and an evaluation of the effects of age and education on the analyzed variables.

Methods: We examined 341 healthy men, inhabitants of Wroclaw, aged 32-79, without any significant medical history. The intensity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Polish version IA of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: We observed an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms in the subsequent age categories in the examined men, in all the analyzed symptoms (32-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66-79 years--4.1 +/- 4.4, 8.2 +/- 4.2, 10.4+/- 3.6, 13.4 +/- 3.4 points, respectively, r = 0.65, p < 0.0001), and in cognitive-affective symptoms (respectively--2.8 +/- 3.1, 5.0 +/- 2.8, 5.8 +/- 2.5, 7.3 +/- 2.6 points, r = 0.5 1, p < 0.0001) as well as in somatic symptoms related to mood changes (respectively - 1.3 +/- 1.5, 3.2 +/- 2.0, 4.6 +/- 1.5, 6.1 +/- 1.7 points r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). Mild (BDI > or = 10 and <20 points) and moderate depression (BDI > or = 20 and < 30 points) were found in 12.6% and 0%, 34.5% and 0.8%, 50.0% and 2.9%, 80.0% and 2.9% of men aged 32-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66-79 years, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms in the examined men (p > 0.2).

Conclusions: In Poland, male aging is accompanied by an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms. Age, but not education, constitutes a major determinant of these symptoms. The presented data may be used as reference values for BDI scores of healthy Polish men in subsequent age categories.