Depression and Its Association with Functional Status and Chronic Illness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Depression is a prevalent and debilitating condition among older adults, often exacerbated by functional decline and chronic illness. Understanding the interplay between these factors is critical for improving geriatric mental health outcomes, particularly in community settings.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and examine its association with functional status and chronic illness among community-dwelling older adults in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 elderly individuals attending primary healthcare centers affiliated with King Khalid University. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule comprising sociodemographic information, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.

Results: The prevalence of depression was 39.3%. Significant associations were observed between depression and functional status: 75.0% of participants with moderate/high dependency in ADLs and 57.5% with moderate/high dependency in IADLs exhibited depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Additionally, depression was more prevalent among participants with multimorbidity (54.3%) compared to those with fewer than two chronic conditions (18.6%; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Depression is highly prevalent among community-dwelling older adults in Saudi Arabia and is strongly associated with impaired functional status and chronic illness. These findings underscore the need for integrated geriatric care models that incorporate routine mental health screening and targeted interventions to promote both physical and psychological well-being in aging populations.