Association between Depression and Quality of Life among the aging population in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

BackgroundDepression and quality of life (QoL) are significant issues affecting the elderly population. This research sought to evaluate the prevalence of depression and explore its connection to QoL among older adults living in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal. MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2024 to July 2025, involving 250 elderly individuals aged 60 and above. The participants were chosen through a multistage sampling technique. Data collection was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the WHO Quality of Life- BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. For data analysis, a variety of methods were employed, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U tests, correlation analyses, and binary logistic regression. ResultsThe prevalence of depression among elderly individuals was found to be 28.8%. Factors such as age, gender, marital status, living conditions, level of education, income source, job, chronic illnesses, and alcohol use were significantly linked to depression (p<0.05). Psychological and social life aspects were closely associated with enhanced quality of life (QoL) (p<0.0001 and p=0.018, respectively). Depression had a notable impact on all QoL dimensions, with the environmental aspect being the most affected (OR=17.37, 95% CI: 7.99-43.70). ConclusionDepression is prevalent among the elderly in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, significantly impacting multiple aspects of their quality of life (QoL). Psychological and social elements are crucial in shaping the QoL of older individuals. To address geriatric depression and improve the overall QoL of Nepals aging population, it is recommended to implement screening programs, establish social support systems, and offer training for primary healthcare professionals.