The Impact of Depression and Malnutrition on Health-Related Quality of Life Among the Elderly Iranians

Introduction: The present study aimed to assess the association between nutritional status and depressive symptoms among elderly Iranians and to explore their impact on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 447 elders aging from 55 to 85 years were randomly selected and completed the Iranian version of Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and the Iranian version of Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results: Out of the 447 elderly, 72.1% were female with the mean age of 65.99 ± 7.89 years. The prevalence of depression was 38.1%. In addition, the SF-36 sub-scores tended to be lower among the elders with depressive symptoms according to GDS. The Physical Functioning (PF), Bodily Pain (BP), Role Physical (RP), Role Emotional (RE), and Mental Health (MH) dimensions of the SF-36 were also statistically poorer in the elders with depression. The mean MNA score was 24.6 ± 2.7; 35.4% of the participants were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and 64.6% were adequately nourished. The sub scores of SF-36 were significantly lower in the elders with impaired nutritional status.

Conclusions: Considering the importance of the association among psychological and nutritional problems and HRQoL in caring for and promoting the welfare of the elders, this study provided fundamental information and a basis for further evaluation of this issue in developing and undeveloped countries.