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Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in people residing in high-altitude regions., Methods: Eleven databases were searched for studies on depression and depressive symptoms: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Psychology Database, Academic Search Ultimate, SciELO and LILACS. Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed based on the inclusion of these articles measuring the prevalence of depressive symptoms in people living at high altitude (≥1500 m above sea level [masl]). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021271069)., Results: Eight articles with >40,000 participants from 4 different countries were included. Among the samples treated, the combined prevalence of depressive symptoms was 17.9 % (I 2 : 99 %) and the only estimate by subpopulation at the country level was possible for China, with >36,000 participants, being 28.7 % (I 2 : 4 %)., Limitations: Considerable heterogeneity was reported in the estimation of overall prevalence due to the quality of the studies and the instruments used to screen for depressive symptoms., Conclusion: Almost two out of every 10 people living at high-altitude regions suffer from depressive symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt interventions to this condition and further research in the field is required., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: In high altitude regions, people experience biological, inflammatory and brain structure changes that increase the risk of depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the association between altitude and depressive symptoms in the Peruvian population, adjusting by demographic, socioeconomic and exposure to health risk factors., Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analytical study of data collected annually by the Demographic and Family Health Survey during the period 2013-2020. The presence of depressive symptoms during the last 14 days prior to the survey were measured using scores obtained from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). A generalized linear model (GLM) of gamma family and log link function was used to report the crude and adjusted β coefficients. A quantile regression model was performed as a sensitivity analysis., Results: Data from a total of 215,409 participants were included. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and health risk exposures, the GLM showed that an increase in every 100 m of altitude of residence was positively and significantly associated with the depressive symptoms score (β=0•01 [95% confidence interval: 0•01-0•01])., Limitations: The length of residence in high altitude areas of the population included cannot be established, requiring future research to determine if the results of the present study are similar in native people or permanent residents of high altitude regions., Conclusions: Altitude was positively associated with depressive symptom scores. Our results will allow the development of mental health interventions based on factors that increase the likelihood of depressive symptoms in high-altitudes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: To date, the factors associated with the presence of depression or depressive symptoms in the Peruvian population have not been described. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in the Peruvian population and its associated factors., Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study of secondary data from 2018 Demographic and Family Health Survey was conducted. The survey database includes 31,996 participants over 18 years of age. The dependent variable of the analysis was the presence of depression during the 14 days before the survey measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Factors associated with the presence of depression were estimated with a proportional odds logistic regression model., Results: The overall prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms was 6.4% (moderate and severe symptomatology in 3.9% [95% CI: 3.6-4.3] and 2.5% [95% CI: 2.2-2.7], respectively). Being a woman, belonging to the age groups of 45 to 64 years or 65 or older, living in the Andean region, and having high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus or some disability increased the probability of having clinically relevant depressive symptoms., Limitations: The use of the PHQ-9 tool to assess depressive symptomatology limits the evaluation to a period of two weeks before the survey, requiring further study for diagnosis confirmation., Conclusion: Six out of 100 Peruvians presented moderate to severe clinically relevant depressive symptoms in 2018. Strategies for depression should contemplate population subgroups , such as women and patients with chronic diseases and disabilities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Peru has experienced a significant internal migration from rural to urban areas in recent years. This study estimates the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Peruvian women of childbearing age and their probability of having these symptoms according to the condition of internal migration., Methods: Data from the 2014-2018 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) was used. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Adjusted odds ratios and the marginal effects were estimated to assess associated factors and the probability of having depressive symptoms in relation to internal migration status, respectively., Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10 points) decreased from 2014 to 2018, as did the prevalence of these symptoms for all the internal migration status. There was a positive relationship between the post-migration residence time and the probability of having depressive symptoms. Furthermore, compared to women in rural areas who never migrated, all of the other migrant statuses were associated with an increased probability of depressive symptoms. Other factors such as being the head of the household, being married/cohabiting or separated/divorced/widowed, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, having an impairment and living at levels of altitude greater than 500 m were associated with a higher probability of having depressive symptoms., Conclusion: Despite a reduction in the overall burden of depressive symptoms, the migrant subgroup population has a higher probability of presenting these symptoms. Mental health strategies for migrant women are a priority in Peru.