Functional outcome and depression in the elderly with or without fatigue

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Fatigue is a prevalent issue in older populations, often co-occurring with functional decline and mood disorders.
• Understanding the interplay between fatigue, functional status, and depression is crucial for effective geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between fatigue, functional outcomes, and depression in older adults.
• To identify the prevalence of fatigue in this demographic and its predictive factors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) to measure fatigue.
• Assessed functional status using the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM).
• Measured depression with the Geriatric Depression Inventory (GDI).

Main Results:

• A significant correlation was observed between fatigue and depression (p<0.001, r = 0.363).
• Fatigue also showed a significant negative correlation with functional status (p<0.04, r = -0.183).
• Geriatric Depression Inventory scores were a significant predictor of fatigue (p < 0.001), with 40.3% of participants reporting fatigue (FSS ≥ 4).

Conclusions:

• Fatigue is common in older adults and is closely linked to both depression and reduced functional independence.
• Clinical assessment for both fatigue and depression is recommended for comprehensive care in the elderly.