Objective:

to analyze factors influencing depression markers in elderly patients at primary healthcare centers (PHC) in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, in 2017.

Methods:

this was a cross-sectional study carried out with elderly individuals at PHCs in Maringá city; we used a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic questions, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); we analyzed associations and compared depression markers with sociodemographic variables and health conditions.

Results:

645 elderly people took part in the study; those with the highest depression markers had lower income, poor health perception, a history of falls and three or more comorbidities; the physically active elderly had lower depression markers.

Conclusion:

monthly income and health conditions are factors that influence depression markers; doing light physical activities is associated with lower tendency of depression in the elderly.

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