Depression is fast becoming a major public health problem with a very high prevalence rate in the 65 and over age group.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in Greeks and Cypriots older adults.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 445 participants, 239 members of three day care centers for older people, in the municipality of Patras, West-Greece and 206 older adults (110 in the community, 65 in outpatient clinics, 31 in nursing homes) in Cyprus, aged > 60 years. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. Depression was assessed using the Greek version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).

The overall prevalence of depression according to GDS-15 was 33% (28% moderate, 5% severe type). Depressive symptoms were more frequent in women (41,6% vs. 28,3%, P < 0,001), in not married (43,0% vs. 29,3%, P < 0,001), in elderly with chronic diseases (36,8% vs. 25,0%, P = 0,007), in older people dwellers of urban areas compared to rural (36,3% vs. 26,4%, P = 0,028) and in ages between 70 to 80 years old (38,7% vs. 31,6%, P = 0,038). Moreover, higher prevalence of depression was measured in Greeks compared to Cypriots (44,3% vs. 20,6%, P < 0,001). In a univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly associated with depression: female gender (P < 0,001), co-morbidity (P = 0,004), higher age group (P = 0,018), place of living (P = 0,022) and Greek nationality (P < 0,001).

High prevalence and several risk factors are strongly associated with depression, whereas Greeks are in higher danger of developing depressive symptoms in late life, than Cypriots.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.