ABSTRACT
Objective
Estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in ambulatory of medical clinics at Lauro Wanderley University Hospital in 2018.
Methods
Application of a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in a 2-month period, where 101 patients were interviewed.
Results
It was observed that 61.4% of the sample is classified as mildly and severely depressed, with 78% of rheumatology patients, 63% of cardiology and 48% of endocrinology. Of the patients treated 34.6% practice physical activity at least three times a week, 53.5% use or had used sleeping medication, 25.7% have psychiatric treatment and 4.9% currently do, in contrast 29.7% use some psychotropic. Of the psychotropics, the most used was Diazepam (16.7%). The following associations were found: slightly depressed patients did not practice physical activities, were already receiving health treatment and had a history of psychiatric treatment; rheumatology showed more patients with some degree of depression. Of the 27 who reported poor sleep, 78% used sleeping medication and 63% psychotropic, 60% did not practice physical activity and 81% were slightly depressed. Somatic symptoms were the most reported on the Hamilton scale.
Conclusion
There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients of medical ambulatory services, especially cardiovascular, endocrinological and rheumatologic diseases. It is noticed that there was a great emphasis on somatic symptoms, which may explain the large number of respondents who are not accompanied by psychiatrist and treated only with symptomatic.
Depression; ambulatory patient; prevention