Prevalence of Depression Among Elderly Population in India - A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

• Main Authors: Bincy K (Author), Pradeep MVM (Author), Padmavathy L (Author), Ezhilmuthalvan A (Author), Prashanth S (Author), Logaraj M (Author), Nalini V (Author), Mahesh Kumar (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Medsci Publications, 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.55489/njcm.151120244461; 0976-3325; 2229-6816
• Keywords: Elderly; Depression; Quality of life; Mental health; Systematic review; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: National Journal of Community Medicine, Vol 15, Iss 11 (2024)

Background: Depression among the elderly is a global public health concern, impacting quality of life and overall well-being. However, there is a lack of recent systematic reviews or meta-analyses on its prevalence in India. This study aims to update this information through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The study utilized the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) as a screening tool for depression among individuals aged 60 and older in India, utilizing electronic databases for community-based cross-sectional studies from inception to date. Pooled prevalence with 95% CI was performed using R statistical software. Results: 23 community-based cross-sectional studies were included representing 13 Indian states, meeting the inclusion criteria. The combined prevalence of depression among the elderly was estimated to be 47% (95% CI: 0.39; 0.55), with significant heterogeneity observed among studies (I²=98%, p<0.01). The study underscores the considerable depression issue among India's elderly population, emphasizing the urgent need for tailored mental health interventions. Conclusion: The meta-analysis reveals a high prevalence of depression among India's senior population, highlighting the need for targeted public health initiatives to address this growing crisis and support the mental health needs of the elderly.