Prevalence of depression among elderly patients in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is a growing mental health concern among the elderly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India, where the aging population is rapidly increasing. This systematic review aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression among elderly individuals in India using available population-based studies.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Indian research databases for studies published up to April 2025. Studies were included if they assessed depression prevalence in Indian elderly populations (≥60 years) using standardized diagnostic tools such as the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) or PHQ-9. Data extraction and quality appraisal were done independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted using an inverse-variance weighted fixed-effect model.

Results: A total of 512 studies were identified, and after screening and eligibility checks, 10 studies involving 9,050 elderly participants were included in the meta-analysis. The reported prevalence of depression in the studies included ranged from 27.5% to 40.2%. The pooled prevalence was estimated at 32.9% (95% CI: 31.4% – 34.4%). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 39.7%), reflecting variation in geographic regions and assessment tools.

Conclusion: Depression among elderly individuals in India is highly prevalent, affecting nearly one-third of the population studied. These findings emphasize the urgent need for early detection, community-based screening, and culturally sensitive mental health interventions in geriatric care policies to reduce the burden of depression in aging populations.