Associations between Depression and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Results from the Study of Latinos‐Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL‐INCA) and HCHS/SOL

Abstract

BackgroundMany aging Hispanic/Latino persons are worried about memory loss. Prior research suggests that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and depression, might have common pathways, and could be precursors to cognitive impairment. We examined associations between depression and domains of SCD in a large sample of diverse Hispanics/Latinos.MethodsData included n = 6,189 (unweighted) middle‐aged and older Hispanics/Latinos (Age M = 63.4‐years, SD = 8.2; 55% female; 40.5% with more than High School education) from 6‐heritage groups participating in the Study of Latinos‐Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL‐INCA), an ancillary study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). We used survey generalized linear regression to model the associations between depressive symptoms, captured at baseline (2008‐2011) with the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression 10‐Item Scale (CES‐D‐10), and SCD was measured, on average 7‐years later, via the Everyday Cognition Short‐Form (ECog‐12).ResultsHigher depressive symptoms at baseline were linked to worse global (B = .37, SE = .02) and domain specific SCD [Memory (B = .34, SE = .02), Visual Spatial Planning (B = .28, SE = .02), Executive (B = .33, SE = .02)] (ps<0.001) after adjusting for cardiovascular risk and demographic covariates. These associations were more pronounced in individuals who were concerned about their attention, concentration or memory. Hispanic/Latino background (i.e., Dominican, Central American, Cuban, Mexican, Puerto‐Rican, South American, Other) did not modify the associations between depression symptoms and measures of SCD (ps>0.05).ConclusionElevated depressive symptoms were consistently linked to global and domain specific subjective cognitive decline across Hispanics/Latinos of diverse heritages, particularly in the presence of attention, concentration or memory concerns. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing depression when evaluating Hispanics/Latinos with cognitive complaints.

Comparison of the 10-, 14- and 20-Item CES-D Scores as Predictors of Cognitive Decline

“…In a study by Carleton et al [41], confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to compare previous and new models of the CES-D, and results supported a 14-item, 3-factor model, comprising somatic symptoms, negative affect, and anhedonia; the authors argue the 14-item version (CESD-14) is more consistent with current diagnostic criteria for depression. A 10-item version (CESD-10), in which redundant items are removed [54] and the focus is placed on affective symptoms by reducing somatic items [55], has also been used in studies investigating depression and cognitive decline (e.g., [12,56]).…”