Emotional changes in the elderly with Diabetes Mellitus registered in primary health care centers

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20194301265278

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate emotional aspects in elderly patients with Diabetes Mellitus enrolled in primary health care. Therefore, this was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, carried out in the period from September 2017 to March 2018 in two Health Centers (FHS and UBS) of the city of Vitória da Conquista, BA. A total of 63 elderly people enrolled in the Family Health Program of both sexes, with type I or II Diabetes Mellitus, with preserved cognitive ability, evaluated by the Mini Mental State Exam, and who agreed to participate in the study by signing the Informed Consent Form. For data collection, the following instruments were used: A economic socio-demographic questionnaire; Beck's Anxiety Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), with the following data: of the 63 elderly people who participated in the study, 68.3% (43) were female and 31.7% (20) were male; 57.1% (36) are in the age range of 60 to 70 years; 63.5% (40) had a minimum degree of anxiety, and 74.6% (47) were suspected of depression. It is concluded that the elderly patients with Diabetes Mellitus of the present study had a low level of anxiety, but with the lowest degree of the disease. The study also showed that most individuals had a prevalence of depressive symptoms, which calls attention and at the same time suggests that promotion and prevention actions must be taken regarding primary health care with a view to promoting mental health.