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. 2014 Jun 18:14:77.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-77.

Late-life depression and quality of life in a geriatric evaluation and management unit: an exploratory study

Jui-Hung Lin, Min-Wei Huang, Deng-Wu Wang, Yi-Ming Chen, Chu-Sheng Lin, Yi-Jing Tang, Shu-Hui Yang, Hsien-Yuan Lane  1
Affiliations

Late-life depression and quality of life in a geriatric evaluation and management unit: an exploratory study

Jui-Hung Lin et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Late-life depression is common among elderly patients. Ignorance of the health problem, either because of under-diagnosis or under-treatment, causes additional medical cost and comorbidity. For a better health and quality of life (QoL), evaluation, prevention and treatment of late-life depression in elderly patients is essential.

Methods: This study examined (1) the differences of clinical characteristics, degree of improvement on QoL and functionality on discharge between non-depressed and depressed elderly inpatients and (2) factors associated with QoL on discharge. Four hundred and seventy-one elderly inpatients admitted to a geriatric evaluation and management unit (GEMU) from 2009 to 2010 were enrolled in this study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment including the activities of daily living (ADL), geriatric depression scale, and mini-mental state examination were conducted. QoL was assessed using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Visual Analog Scale on discharge. Information on hospital stay and Charlson comorbidity index were obtained by chart review. Chi-square tests, independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and multiple linear regressions were used in statistical analysis.

Results: Worse QoL and ADL on discharge were found among the depressed. Depressive symptoms, female gender, duration of hospital stay, and rehabilitation were significant factors affecting QoL on discharge in linear regression models.

Conclusions: The importance of the diagnosis and treatment of depression among elderly inpatients should not be overlooked during hospital stay and after discharge. Greater efforts should be made to improve intervention with depressed elderly inpatients.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling procedures. Flow chart of how patients included in this study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of EQ-5D subscales on discharge. The subscales of EQ-5D are shown as Mobility (p < 0.001); Self-care (p = 0.005); Usual activity (p = 0.003); Pain (p = 0.023); Depression and Anxiety (p < 0.001). Mann–Whitney U test. (**) p < 0.01. (*) p < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of EQ-5D-VAS on discharge. Significant difference was identified when comparing EQ-5D-VAS between depressed and non-depressed elderly inpatients applying Mann–Whitney U test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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