Association between depression and dementia in among older adults in rural settings: a systematic review

Dementia is a public health problem with high prevalence in the older adult population, generating mental disability, physical and loss of autonomy. Depression is a risk factor for developing dementia. The WHO (World Health Organization), estimated that by 2030 the population of older adults would pass 1.4 billion people. Unlike the young population, older adults with early-onset or late-onset depression have a higher risk of developing dementia. In Latin America the prevalence of depression is 10.66% being the population of rural areas the most affected. In Peru, the prevalence of depression in older adults was studied and it was evident that 42.6% lived in rural areas and most lived in poverty. It is important to identify the association of depression and dementia in older adults in rural areas due to high mortality rates, added to the inequality of access to the health system compared to the population in urban areas.