BMC Public Health. 2025 Aug 15;25(1):2789. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23993-6.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mental disorders among the elderly are a growing public health concern contributing significantly to disease burden, disability, and mortality. However, there is a lack of nationally representative studies examining the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among older adults in community settings. Considering 55 years old is the beginning of “young old”, our study targets the population of adults aged 55 years old and above. Using data from the China Mental Health Survey (CMHS), we aim to estimate the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders and to investigate the correlates of mental disorders.
METHODS: Data of study was derived from the CMHS, a nationally representative community-based epidemiological survey. CMHS employed Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a structured diagnostic tool, to collect relevant data. A total of 12,667 adults aged 55 and above were included in this survey. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and design-corrected Rao-Scott χ2 test, along with logistic regression model were used to identify correlates of mental disorders.
RESULTS: A total of 10,840 participants (85.6%) completed the CIDI. The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders among the Chinese elderly population were 19.16% and 10.62%, respectively. Anxiety disorders were the most prevalent mental disorders, with a lifetime prevalence and 12-month prevalence was 9.07% and 5.97%, respectively. The corresponding data for mood disorders were 8.19% and 4.36%, and for substance use disorders were 4.16% and 0.89%, respectively. Having ≥ 3 physical diseases (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.35-4.40), experiencing chronic pain (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.77-4.90), and having sleep disturbances (OR = 4.02, 95% CI: 3.14-5.13) were all significantly associated with higher odds of mental disorders. Conversely, individuals aged 70 years and older had significantly lower odds of mental disorders (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29-0.62). All associations were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Mental disorders are highly prevalent among Chinese adults aged 55 years and above, with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders being the most common. Chronic disease, chronic pain and sleep disturbances played an important role in the risk of mental disorders mental disorders.
PMID:40817050 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23993-6
