The overlapping of geriatric syndromes not medical multimorbidities is a better predictor for depression and disability in hospitalized older people

Introduction: Geriatric syndromes, multimorbidity, and disability are closely interrelated concepts. The presence of different geriatric syndromes and medical comorbidities has major impacts on health and well-being. The medical comorbidities are usually well evaluated and recorded during the initial assessment of hospitalized older adults, while the geriatric syndromes usually remain overlooked. The impact of geriatric syndromes on depression and functional disability needs evaluation. Aim: To determine the impact of geriatric syndromes and medical multimorbidities on predicting functional disability and depression in hospitalized older adults. Methods: 189 hospitalized elderlies were recruited for the study. Each participant underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment to determine medical comorbidities, geriatric syndromes and factors associated with depression and functional disability. Results: The prevalence of functional disability among participants was 39.68% while 28.57% of the participants had depression. The geriatric syndromes accumulation score but not the age adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was able to predict depression and functional disability. In the adjusted model for age, gender, and CCI, the increased number of coexisting geriatric syndromes increased the risk of depression and functional disability [OR: 1.817 (95% confidence interval 1.338-2.793), OR: 1.936 (95% confidence interval 1.338-2.793)]. Conclusions: The geriatric syndromes usually occur simultaneously. The presence of coexisting geriatric syndromes increased the risk of depression and functional disability.