Effect of age-related hyperkyphosis on depression and quality of life

Hyperkyphosis is a frequent problem in older adults. Depressed mood and decreased quality of life are supposed to be related to age-related hyperkyphosis. This study aimed to explain the relation between depression, quality of life, and hyperkyphosis in old patients.

142 patients who applied to the outpatient clinic of geriatrics were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Mean age of participants was 72. Hyperkyphosis was evaluated by the bloc method defined in the Rancho Bernardo Study (1). Depression was evaluated by the Short form of Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Quality of life was assessed by the 3-level version of EQ-5D.

Hyperkyphosis was found to be positively related to depression (P=0.037), negatively related to the QOL (p<0.001). QOL, depression, and hyperkyphosis were in a ship with each other when evaluated with one-way MANOVA (F [3.135] =5.23, P=0.002, Wilk's Λ=0.896, partial η2=0.104). Chronic pain was negatively related to QOL (p<0.001). Depression was positively related to chronic pain (p<0.001). QOL evaluated with VAS was independently related to the presence of hyperkyphosis in logistic regression analysis (r2=0.179, P=0.007).

Considering the relationship with depression and quality of life, early recognition, and treatment of hyperkyphosis in elderly individuals is important. More studies evaluating the association between postural disorders, quality of life and mood disorders in older adults will be useful.