Mental health and quality of life in older adults in southern Peru: A cross-sectional study

Problem consideredMental health disorders in older adults significantly impair quality of life; however, data from urban primary care in Peru is scarce. Therefore, our objective was to analyze mental health and its association with quality of life in older adults in a city in southern Peru.MethodsA cross-sectional study evaluated 500 older adults randomly selected from the Ciudad Nueva Health Center in Tacna. Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L utility index and EQ-VAS) were measured. Sociodemographic and clinical covariates were recorded. Adjusted β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multiple linear regression.ResultsPositive screen for depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) affected 51% and positive screen for anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10) affected 51.4%. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility index was 0.5 ± 0.30 and the mean EQ-VAS score was 65.8 ± 17.9. In the adjusted models, the presence positive screen for depression was associated with a reduction in quality of life, reflected by a decrease in the EQ-5D-5L utility index (adjusted β = −0.28; 95% CI: −0.36 to −0.20). Additionally, both being retired and receiving a salary or wage were independently associated with reductions in the EQ-5D-5L utility index (adjusted β = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.20 to −0.02 and adjusted β = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.20 to −0.02, respectively).ConclusionHigh depression rates were associated with markedly lower quality of life in this Peruvian geriatric cohort, underscoring the need for integrated mental health screening and interventions.