Prevalence of Depression and Malnutrition in Geriatric Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: The elderly population is increasing both worldwide and in Turkey. Malnutrition and depression are important health problems in our aging world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression, malnutrition, and polypharmacy in geriatric patients with and without diabetes.
METHODS: A total of 253 patients, 143 with and 110 without diabetes, who admitted to the geriatric clinic, were included in the study. The weight and standing height of each participant was recorded, and their body mass index (BMI) values were calculated. Individuals with BMI values ≥25 kg/m2 were regarded as overweight, those with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 as obese, and those with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 as morbidly obese. Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess the mood, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form was used to assess the nutritional status.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of depressive symptoms (p=0.610). However, the frequency of obesity and polypharmacy was statistically significantly higher in diabetic patients (p<0.05). The proportion of those with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition was higher in patients without DM (p=0.004).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of diabetic geriatric patients admitted to our clinic were overweight, while more than half were obese or morbidly obese. Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition was present in nearly half of the patients without diabetes. The presence of depressive symptoms in approximately one in two geriatric patients with and without diabetes is an issue requiring attention in terms of public health.