INTRODUCTION: Population aging is considered a worldwide demographic phenomenon.
In Brazil we specifically observed a rapid and consistent demographic expansion in the
elderly population, the country counts with about 21 million people aged 60 years or more,
representing a significant portion of the total population, approximately 11.3%. As a
consequence of this change in the age pyramid, we have the increased prevalence of chronic
non-communicable diseases, which in turn can lead to functional disability. In addition to
chronic diseases, mental health deserves special attention, as they often affect the elderly,
with dementia and depression being the most prevalent. Understanding the factors associated
with the incidence of depression, as well as the functional and cognitive impairments resulting
from this condition, allow us to assist in the prevention and early identification of these
symptoms, promoting specific intervention strategies in order to avoid or minimize damages
to the quality of life of the elderly. OBJECTIVES: To identify the presence of depressive
symptoms, cognitive decline and functional impairment in the elderly enrolled in the program
for the control of hypertension and diabetes mellitus of the Municipal Health Unit of Guamá,
in the city of Belém, Pará. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 100 The
elderly. Data were collected through individual interviews using the Mini Mental State
Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Katz Scale (ABVD) and
the Lawton and Brody Scale (AIVD) for the evaluation of Cognitive ability, presence of
depressive symptoms and functional capacity, respectively. Pearson's Chi-square test for trend
/ adhesion and association between nominal variables and Pearson's Linear Correlation test
were used for numerical variables. RESULTS: The profile of the studied population is
predominantly female, with low educational level, low income and age range between 60-69
years. The prevalence of depression was estimated in 22% of the sample and was associated
with female and sedentary elderly individuals. Regarding mental status, cognitive deficit was
identified in 27% of the interviewed elderly, and the age of the elderly presented a moderate
negative correlation with the MMSE performance. Regarding the functionality of the elderly
interviewed, most of them were considered independent to perform basic activities of daily
living, and 46% of the sample had dependence on the instrumental activities of daily living.
There was an association between depressive symptoms and functional dependence.
CONCLUSION: It was verified that sedentary women and elderly people are more
susceptible to the occurrence of depression and that age is a factor strongly associated with a
decrease in cognitive performance. It was also observed that the level of dependence of the
elderly in the AIVD is strongly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms.
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