Factors influencing depressive symptoms among Korean older adults with chronic illnesses: Using the 2014 national survey on older adults

Purpose: Geriatric depression is often closely connected with physical symptoms among older adults. This study aimed to determine the factors related to depressive symptoms among older adults with multiple chronic diseases. Methods: We assessed 6,672 older adults using data extracted from the 2014 National Survey on the Elderly in Korea. The short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Korean versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination for dementia screening and the DETERMINE Your Nutrition Health Checklist were used. Statistical analyses included independent t-test, x² test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: We found that 36.7% of the older adults exhibited depressive symptoms, and the average score on the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale was 5.90±4.53. The factors significantly related to depressive symptoms were unemployment (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.85, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.59~2.15), "high risk" nutritional management status (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.16~1.22), slight visual dysfunction (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.05~1.38), high visual dysfunction (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.04~1.91), slight hearing dysfunction (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.05~1.43), slight chewing dysfunction (OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.19~ 1.59), high chewing dysfunction (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.30~1.95), low cellphone utilization (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.04~ 2.46), older age (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.98~1.00), and higher educational level (OR=0.96, 95% CI=0.95~0.98). Conclusion: Preventive interventions for depressive symptoms should include nutritional education programs, functional assistive devices, and the use of information technology.