The Relationship of Chronic Diseases with Anxiety and Depression in Patients Over 65 Years of Age

Abstract

Aim: With the increasing life expectancy, the elderly population is gradually increasing. Considering the difficulty in recognizing and treating mental disorders in the elderly, clinicians should be careful about risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of chronic diseases with depression and anxiety levels and to raise awareness for mental illnesses in this age group. Material and Methods: This study was conducted with 100 patients over 65 years of age. Patients with a diagnosis of psychiatric illness and using psychotropic drugs for the last 6 months were not included in the study. After the sample of the study was formed, the sociodemographic data form prepared by the researchers and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were applied to the patients. Results: Anxiety levels were found to be significantly higher in female patients (p=0.032). A positive correlation was found between age and depression levels (r=0.225, p=0.025). No statistically significant difference was found in anxiety and depression levels between the patient groups with and without chronic disease (p=0.122, and p=0.668, respectively). Conclusion: Chronic diseases, duration of the disease, and use of medication were not found to be associated with anxiety and depression levels, while anxiety levels were found to be higher in female patients, and also a significant positive correlation was found between age and depression levels. Mental disorders are a subject that needs to be examined in detail in elderly patients. The mental illnesses of elderly patients should not be ignored and should always be considered by clinicians.