Rapid psychological assessment of depression and its relationship with physical health among urban elderly Pavithra Cheluvaraj, Mangesh Balu Nanaware, and Surya Prakasa Rao Department of Community Medicine [PSM], B.J. Medical College, Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India 211 [AMJ 2016;9(7):211–214] RESEARCH Please cite this paper as: Cheluvaraj P, Nanaware MB, Rao SP. Rapid psychological assessment of depression and its relationship with physical health among urban elderly. AMJ 2016;9(7):211–214. http://doi.org/10.21767/AMJ.2016.2634 Corresponding Author: Dr Mangesh Balu Nanaware Associate Professor Department of Community Medicine (PSM) B.J. Medical College, Sassoon General Hospital Pune, Maharashtra, India 411001 Email: dr.mangeshnanaware@gmail.com ABSTRACT Background Old age is associated with increased occurrence of a wide array of Psychological impairments or losses, which might contribute to physical disabilities. As Depression has been identified as the most common aberration its rapid assessment would be able to identify the quality of individual and family life of the elderly. Aims To assess psychological health status with respect to depression among geriatric urban community, and the relationship of depression with health perception and physical health status has been explored. Methods A cross-sectional total geriatric population survey consisting of 254 elderly has been carried out at urban field practice area. A standard geriatric depression scale (Short form) has been utilized to assess psychological status. Detailed physical examination and investigations with special reference to Diabetes, Hypertension and Visual defects was carried out. Data was analyzed to find out the relationship of various socio-demographic factors, physical morbidities with depression. Results Out of 254 elderly examined, 32 per cent females and 23 per cent males were found to be suffering from depressive disorders. When assessed for individual health status perception, 25 per cent felt to have good health. Out of 190 geriatric subjects perceiving fair to bad health, 110 were found to be suffering from depression (p<0.001). Depression was also found to be associated with history of hospital admission in the previous year (p<0.05), low vision (p<0.05), diabetes (p<0.01) and hypertension (p<0.01). Conclusion Depression among geriatric age group is associated with physical illness and perception of health. Key Words Depression, geriatric health perception, psychological impairment What this study adds: 1. What is known about this subject? Ageing previously regarded as emerging trend mainly in the industrial countries is now recognized as a global phenomenon. 2. What new information is offered in this study? The present study was an attempt to rapidly assess the depression among elderly living in the urban slum area utilizing the standard short form geriatric depression scale. 3. What are the implications for research, policy, or practice? Depression is common psychological entity observed in geriatric age group and to improve the quality of life among geriatric age group is urgent need.