Can depression and metabolic risk predict musculoskeletal health and disability status of geriatrics? A cross-sectional analytical study in an Eastern Indian district

Background Musculoskeletal diseases are 4th-leading disease burden for geriatrics. Objectives The study was conducted with the aim of identifying the factors related to better musculoskeletal health and disability. Materials and Methods This observational analytical epidemiological study was conducted in the Bankura district, West Bengal, India, among 101 geriatric people aged 60 years or above. At least 10 geriatrics were selected by simple random sampling method from each of 9 community development blocks and one municipality. Data were collected by interviewing them using a questionnaire including Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK HQ), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale (DAS) 2.0, and the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) independent variables in multi-variable analysis were considered for multivariable linear regression. Results Median score and interquartile range of MSK HQ score were 41.00 and 8.00, respectively (range 0–56) and mean and standard deviation of DAS were 24.45 ± 4.757 (range 0–48). Higher MSK HQ Score and DAS score indicate better musculoskeletal health and higher disability, respectively. Multi-variable linear regression found that normal body mass index, absence of metabolic risk, absence of depression, and adequate sleep explained 3.6%, 8.4%, 11.8%, and 31.3% variation of better musculoskeletal health. On the other hand, metabolic risk, depression, red meat consumption, present occupation, and family history of arthritis explained 3.0%, 3.4%, 3.8%, 7.0%, and 24.4% variation of higher disability. Conclusions Screening for depression, metabolic risk, and obesity with early interventions is the road to better musculoskeletal health among geriatrics.