2Dicle Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon DİYARBAKIR Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the increased risk of depression and factors related with depression in elderly individuals, to investigate the effect of depression to functional status and quality of life.
Materials and Method: A total of 160 elderly individuals over 65 years old were participated. Demographic data of elderly individuals were enrolled. Standardized Mini Mental Test was used to determine the mental situation, Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale for risk of depression Functional Activity Score for functional situation and SF-36 health survey scoring for the quality of life.
Results: Eighty one of the total elderly participants had risk of depression,79 ones had not. There were no differences between elderly individuals who had increased risk of depression and had not for sex, marital status, smoking cigarettes. Increased risk of depression was found more in elderly individuals who were illiterate, had more chronic diseases and used much more pills, had knee osteoarthritis and used accessory devices, had low B12 and folic acid levels. We found functional activity score low in elderly individuals who had increased risk of depression. Both of physical and mental health scores of SF-36 were lower in elderly individuals had increased risk of depression. The progress depression in elderly age, poor functional status was shown to be a risk factor. A linear relationship was found between depression scores and functional activity scores, quality of life scores.
Conclusion: Increased risk of depression and related factors in elderly individuals were determined. Increased risk of depression in elderly individuals effects the functional status and quality of life of elderly negatively.
Keywords : Aged; Depression; Quality of Life