Presence or Absence of Depression in Community-dwelling Elderly People and Related Factors During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the presence or absence of depression in elderly people and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that included questions on personal attributes, health conditions, living conditions, and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) was distributed to 1,803 registrants of a human resource center for elderly people in City A, Osaka Prefecture. A score of 5 points or higher on the GDS15 indicated the presence of depression. Odds ratios (ORs) for the presence or absence of depression were calculated by adjusting for the effects of multiple factors using a logistic regression model. A total of 551 respondents were included in the analysis, of whom 189 (34.3%) had depression, and 362 (65.7%) did not. ORs for depression were elevated in those with economic anxiety (OR＝3.84), poor self-health (OR＝4.12), locomotive syndrome (OR＝2.25), and social isolation (OR＝3.11). ORs for depression were also elevated in those who responded that their frequency of outings (OR＝1.85) and work (OR＝1.92) had decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, those with a high degree of anxiety about the novel coronavirus had an OR for depression of 1.98. On the other hand, ORs for depression decreased in those with older age, longer sleep time (7-8 hours : OR＝0.44, ≥8 hours : OR＝0.37), and high scores for the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (10-12 points : OR＝0.48, ≥13 points ; OR＝0.36).

Awareness of a decreased frequency of work and outings and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with depression.