Depression and quality of life among elderly: Comparative cross‑sectional study between elderly in community and old age homes in Eastern India
Volume 12, Issue 8, September 2022, Pages 1-7
. Soumya S. Sahoo, . Vazinder Kaur, . Udit K. Panda, . Bhola Nath, . Pragyan P. Parija, . Dinesh P. Sahu
Abstract BACKGROUND: Depression among elderly is an emerging public health concern. Along with other
comorbidities, depression affects the quality of life and functional ability of the geriatric population.
This study aimed to assess the depression and quality of life among elderly and compare these
parameters among the inhabitants of old age home and in the community.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among the elderly of the
community and old‑age homes in the urban areas of Raipur, Chhattisgarh between March and
July 2016. Hundred elderly (50 in each group) participated in the study. Geriatric Depression Scale
15 (GDS‑15) and Older People Quality of Life (OPQoL)‑35 scale were used to assess the geriatric
depression and quality of life, respectively. Association between depression and demographic
variables were analyzed by Chi‑square/Fisher’s exact test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was
calculated between GDS‑15 and OPQoL‑35 scale.
RESULTS: The prevalence of geriatric depression was 59%. Quality of life was better among the
old‑age home elderly participants than that of community elderly when compared for score of life
over all (11.78 vs. 13.56), health (12.8 vs. 14.0), social relationship (10.48 vs. 13.9), control over
life (11.92 vs. 14.08), home and neighborhoods (9.38 vs. 12.36), psychological and emotional
wellbeing (10.96 vs. 13.7), financial circumstances (14.5 vs. 16.7), and leisure and activities (13.86 vs.
15.28). Moderate positive correlation was observed between depression and quality of life.
CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence in our study emphasizes the need to delineate the actual
burden in the elderly population and provide necessary supportive measures. It needs to be addressed
adequately through a coordinated primary care approach and community and social support. Timely
and adequate management of depression can improve the quality‑of‑life outcomes.