The Impact of Depression and Malnutrition on Health-Related Quality of Life Among the Elderly Iranians

Abstract

Introduction:The present study aimed to assess the association between nutritional status and depressive symptoms among elderly Iranians and to explore their impact on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 447 elders aging from 55 to 85 years were randomly selected and completed the Iranian version of Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and the Iranian version of Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).Results:Out of the 447 elderly, 72.1% were female with the mean age of 65.99 ± 7.89 years. The prevalence of depression was 38.1%. In addition, the SF-36 sub-scores tended to be lower among the elders with depressive symptoms according to GDS. The Physical Functioning (PF), Bodily Pain (BP), Role Physical (RP), Role Emotional (RE), and Mental Health (MH) dimensions of the SF-36 were also statistically poorer in the elders with depression. The mean MNA score was 24.6 ± 2.7; 35.4% of the participants were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and 64.6% were adequately nourished. The sub scores of SF-36 were significantly lower in the elders with impaired nutritional status.Conclusions:Considering the importance of the association among psychological and nutritional problems and HRQoL in caring for and promoting the welfare of the elders, this study provided fundamental information and a basis for further evaluation of this issue in developing and undeveloped countries.

Biosocial and disease conditions affecting the quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal

“…The overall poor QOL observed in this study is consistent with previous studies from Nepal's capital city of Kathmandu, where older patients in an outpatient clinic [16] and nursing homes [17] settings, had a lower overall QOL score. Previous studies, from international settings, are in line with our findings [22,23]. Further, a gradient decline in the odds of poor QOL was noted by increasing age group which is in line with a previous study from Nepal where age was inversely associated with QOL [24].…”

Health Demands Characteristics and Quality of Life in the Elderly Monitored in the Primary Care

“…Given the results, the comparative study of the QOL among the elderly is sought. The female majority in the sample is close to other findings [26][27][28]. Even given this reality in both scenarios, the gender was not significantly associated with QOL.…”

“…Having a strong connection to this domain, the depression had an important focus when evaluating the mental and emotional aspects of the QOL of the elderly [28]. Recently, low QOL scores have been found in elderly patients with depressive symptoms when compared to elderly patients without these symptoms [26].…”

A Study on the Prevalence of Depression and its Associated Factors among the Elderly in Kancheepuram District, South India

“…According to BMI, the depression is high among the elderly who were underweight and according to MNA scale, the depression is high among malnourished (88.9%) and among the elderly at risk of malnutrition (76.1%) when compared to the elderly who were having normal nutritional status and is corroborated with some studies. (21,24,25)Depression is significantly associated with the presence of anemia among the elderly and is supported by a study done in Chianti (26) and in Sao Paulo (27)As the severity of anemia increases, the proportion of depression also increases from 36.4% in the elderly with mild anemia to 61.9% in the elderly with severe anemia. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in the burden of depression is significantly associated with lower socio economic status,the elderly who were widow/widower/ separated compared to currently married, the elderly who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and the presence of co-morbidities.…”