Association between depressive symptoms and medical care utilization in South Korean older adults with chronic diseases: A cross-sectional study
Abstract BackgroundThis study examined the effects of depressive symptoms on medical care utilization among South Korean older adults with chronic diseases.MethodsA national sample of 3,921 elders with chronic diseases participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using multiple logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the effects of depressive symptoms on medical care utilization.ResultsOlder adults with depressive symptoms had fewer outpatient visits (OR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67–0.98) and more inpatient hospitalizations (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.13–1.97) than those who did not suffer depressive symptoms. Participants with depressive symptoms visited outpatient clinics less often (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.48–0.97) and were hospitalized more frequently (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.04–3.16) than were men without depressive symptoms. Patients with depressive symptoms with hypertension and diabetes were hospitalized more often (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.45–5.30).ConclusionsDepressive symptoms and chronic diseases are common among elders in South Korea, often resulting in decreased outpatient visits and increased inpatient hospitalization. These findings suggest the necessity for management of chronic disease in elders with depressive symptoms.