Fading Smiles: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression Among Elderly Outpatients in Mohi-ud-Din Teaching Hospital, Mirpur

Abstract

Objective: To establish the prevalence rate of depression and determine the related socioeconomic and clinical risk factors of depressed patients among the elderly seeking care in a tertiary care outpatient facility in Mirpur, Pakistan.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done in three months (March June 2025) at Mohi-ud-Din Teaching Hospital, Mirpur. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used to enroll 250 patients with the age of 60 years or more. The study's data was obtained through the face-to-face interview method, with the help of the questionnaires which were structured and pre-validated in Urdu. The depression was measured with a cut-off score of 5 or higher by Geriatric Depression Scale -Short Form (GDS-SF). To determine significant predictors, bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression was done.

Results: Among 250 participants (mean age: 68.4 +/- 6.7 years; 58.5 percent female), were the 36.5 percent were found positive for depression. In the bivariate analysis, it was statistically significant to use advanced age as a risk factor in patients 70 years or older, female gender, being a widow, and having low education levels, unemployment, and retirement; low income, living in a nuclear family, chronic illness, polypharmacy, bereavement, poor social support, and prior psychiatric history. Independent predictors identified through multivariate analysis were poor social support (AOR: 3.6; p<0.001), chronic illness (AOR: 2.3; p<0.001), illiteracy (AOR: 2.2; p<0.001), nuclear living arrangement (AOR: 2.0; p =0.002), female gender (AOR:1.8; p=0.006), age >=70 years (AOR:1.6; p=0.031) and polypharmacy (AOR: 1.9; p = 0.009).

Conclusion: Depression is highly prevalent among elderly outpatients in Pakistan, particularly among females, those of older age, lower education levels, and individuals with chronic health burdens and inadequate social support. There is a critical need to integrate mental health screening in geriatric care services in tertiary settings.