Predictors of Depression in Geriatric Medically Ill Inpatients

Objective: Depression in medically ill inpatients has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify variables that would successfully predict depression in this population. Methods: The sample consisted of 314 male, medically ill veterans, age 60 and older, admitted to the acute medical service at Baltimore Veteran Administration Medical Center. Sixty of 314 patients met criteria for Major Depression and scored 11 or higher on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Variables assessing age, race, social support, severity of illness, degree of functional disability, life satisfaction, and hopelessness were included in a logistic regression analysis as predictors of depression. Results: The variables that significantly predicted depression were derived from the Beck Hopelessness Scale, Life Satisfaction Score, and the Cumulative Illness Rating Score. Conclusions: The results indicated that medically ill inpatients who feel hopeless about the future, feel the best years of their lives are behind them, and have serious medical problems are likely to be clinically depressed.