Philippine E-Journals

Relationship between functionality and depression among elderly patients with hip or femoral fractures

Alyssa Clarisse C. Domingo | John Paul V. Gonzales | Nicole Jane P. Largo | Shaira Anne B. Quingua | Andrae B. Capino

 

Abstract:

Introduction The sudden loss of ability to perform one's role increases an elderly person's awareness of his dependency on others and creates emotional frustration. The study aimed to determine the relationship between functionality and depression among elderly persons with fracture of the hip or femur.

Methods This was a correlational study using the Geriatric Depression Scale and Barthel Index Tool to measure depression and functionality, respectively, among randomly sampled geriatric patients admitted in an orthopedic hospital. Spearman rho was used to determine the relationship between functionality and depression.

Results Majority of the 43 respondents were women and the mean age of the sample was 70 years. The respondents had a low level of functionality with a mean Barthel Index of 8.3. Around 85% had mild or severe depression. The Spearman's rho showed a moderate negative relationship between functionality and depression which was statistically significant (r = -0.51, p < 0.01).

Conclusion Among geriatric patients with femoral or hip fractures, patients with low functionality tend to be depressed