Mental illness in an elderly rural population in Ireland: a prevalence study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide the first Irish prevalence data on mental illness in an elderly rural, community dwelling population. Method: Subjects were identified from four general practitioners' lists. This included GMS patients, private patients and nursing home residents. Six hundred and fifty people aged 65 years or over were interviewed in their own homes using GMS-AGECAT, a standardised diagnostic instrument. Results: The overall prevalence of mental illness was 14.6%. The prevalence of depression was 9.4%. There was a significantly higher rate among women (13.2%) than men (4.3%). Depression in women was not age related. Of the total sample, 3.7% were classified as organic cases. Of the remaining cases, anxiety disorders occurred most frequently and represented 0.9% of all cases. Conclusions: Elderly people in rural areas experience similar levels of psychiatric morbidity as those in urban centres.