title: Late-life depression and quality of life in a geriatric evaluation and management unit: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Late-life depression is common among elderly patients. Ignorance of the health problem, either because of under-diagnosis or under-treatment, causes additional medical cost and comorbidity. For a better health and quality of life (QoL), evaluation, prevention and treatment of late-life depression in elderly patients is essential.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined (1) the differences of clinical characteristics, degree of improvement on QoL and functionality on discharge between non-depressed and depressed elderly inpatients and (2) factors associated with QoL on discharge. Four hundred and seventy-one elderly inpatients admitted to a geriatric evaluation and management unit (GEMU) from 2009 to 2010 were enrolled in this study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment including the activities of daily living (ADL), geriatric depression scale, and mini-mental state examination were conducted. QoL was assessed using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Visual Analog Scale on discharge. Information on hospital stay and Charlson comorbidity index were obtained by chart review. Chi-square tests, independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and multiple linear regressions were used in statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Worse QoL and ADL on discharge were found among the depressed. Depressive symptoms, female gender, duration of hospital stay, and rehabilitation were significant factors affecting QoL on discharge in linear regression models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of the diagnosis and treatment of depression among elderly inpatients should not be overlooked during hospital stay and after discharge. Greater efforts should be made to improve intervention with depressed elderly inpatients.
authors.forename: Jui-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Min-Wei
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Deng-Wu
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chu-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yi-Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Shu-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: China Medical University, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, No, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, Taiwan. hylane@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hsien-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends*; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*