AUTHOR=Wang Fei , Liu Shou , Zhang Qinge , Ng Chee H. , Cui Xiling , Zhang Dexing , Xiang Yu-Tao 

TITLE=Prevalence of Depression in Older Nursing Home Residents in High and Low Altitude Regions: A Comparative Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669234

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669234

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> Depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) is common in older adults, and closely associated with environmental factors. This study compared the prevalence of depression in older adults living in high-altitude and low-altitude regions, and their association with quality of life (QOL).</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> A total of 632 older nursing home residents were included, with 425 participants living in low-altitude and 207 participants living in high-altitude regions. Depression and QOL were assessed using standardized instruments.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The prevalence of depression was 26.9% (95% CI: 23.43–30.37%) in the whole sample of older nursing home residents, with 11.1% (95% CI: 8.01–14.05%) in those living in low-altitude and 59.4% (95% CI: 52.68–66.17%) in those living in high-altitude regions. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that living in low-altitude region (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001, OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.04–0.12) was associated with lower risk of depression, while perception of poor health status (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001, OR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.98–7.54) and having insomnia (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001, OR = 4.76, 95% CI: 2.99–7.56) were associated with higher risk of depression. QOL was significantly lower in physical (<italic>F</italic><sub>(1,632)</sub> = 35.421, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001), psychological (<italic>F</italic><sub>(1,632)</sub> = 20.777, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001), social (<italic>F</italic><sub>(1,632)</sub> = 8.169, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001) and environmental domains (<italic>F</italic><sub>(1,632)</sub> = 11.861, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001) in those with depression.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Depression was common in older nursing home residents especially those living in the high-altitude region. Considering the negative impact of depression on QOL and functional outcomes, routine screening and timely treatment of depression should be implemented in this population.</p>