Undiagnosed depression and cognitive impairment with possible dementia among elderly population in urban areas of Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Elderly population in India is steadily increasing and depression and dementia are the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in the older adult population. Epidemiological studies have reported disparity in the prevalence of mental health morbidity in older Indian adults. The aim of the present study was to assess community-based prevalence of undiagnosed depression and cognitive impairment with possible dementia and its associated factors in elderly persons residing in urban areas. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted in persons above 60 years residing in urban localities of selected four different zones of Greater Hyderabad through multistage sampling. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic details, the validated “Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)” Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale short-form. Results: The study was completed with a total of 230 individuals. The mean age of participants was 68.02 (±5.71) years. The study group comprised 50.87% males and 49.13% females and 56.08% of participants were self-employed/employed. Of total participants, 37.39% were residing alone of whom 70% were male. More than half (57.83%) of study participants had studied less than 8th grade. Cognitive impairment with possible dementia was present in 51.74% of participants, the prevalence of depression was 22.71% and in 16.09% of participants, both conditions coexisted. Factors found to be significantly associated with depression and cognitive impairment with possible dementia or both conditions were current unemployment [Odds ratio [OR] 5.0 (95% CI (2.44–10.81)], residing alone (OR 2.78 [1.48–5.23]) and education less than high school (OR 24.85 [2.53–9.32]). Conclusions: Depression and cognitive impairment with possible dementia were considerably prevalent in the elderly population of Hyderabad, India. Factors significantly associated with the prevalence of either or both conditions were, residing alone and education less than high school.