A Cross Sectional Study on Functional and Psychological Status of Geriatric Population in Urban Areas of Perambalur

Abstract

Background: Aging is the physiological deterioration in one’s functional & mental capacity. It has been documented
that geriatric population are more prone to cognitive impairment & depression that leads to functional disability which
in turn makes them dependent on someone for their activities of daily living (ADL). Objective of this study is to find the
prevalence of functional disability, cognitive impairment, depression and its association with sociodemographic factors
among the geriatric population.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to march 2020 among 150 elderly people(>60yr) in
urban field practicing area of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan medical college and hospital, Perambalur in Tamil Nadu.
Results: The prevalence of functional disability was 17% (ADL scale) while cognitive impairment was seen in 22% (MMSE)
and depression was observed in 35% (PHQ-9) of the study population. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital
status and type of diet were found to be statistically associated with functional disability among the elderly.
Conclusion: More than one-third of the geriatric population had signs of depression while one-fifth of the study
population had cognitive impairment. Sociodemographic factors such as female gender and taking mixed diet were
found to be statistically associated with functional disability whereas no association was found for cognition impairment
and depression. The study also provides baseline data on co-morbid conditions in geriatric population which can be used
by the local health authorities for providing comprehensive geriatric care with special focus on depression and cognitive
impairment.