Associations of Depressive Symptoms with Subjective Cognitive Decline in Elderly People—A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the AgeWell.de-Study

Abstract

To develop effective dementia prevention strategies, it is necessary to understand risk factors, associated factors and early signs of dementia. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the earliest form of dementia. The aim of this study is to assess depression as a factor that is significantly associated with SCD. The data of 1030 general practitioner patients from the AgeWell.de-study (60–77 years; CAIDE dementia risk score ≥ 9) were analysed. A descriptive analysis was conducted using validated instruments like the Geriatric depression scale (GDS), Lubben social network scale (LSNS-6) and education classes according to CASMIN (Comparative Analysis of Social Mobility in Industrial Nations). A multivariate regression model with the dependent variable SCD was calculated. Of the 1030 participants, 5.9% had depressive symptoms and 31.3% SCD. The group with depressive symptoms showed significantly higher body-mass-index (p = 0.005), lower education class (p = 0.022), lower LSNS-6 score (p < 0.001), higher sports activity (p < 0.001), and more sleeping problems (p = 0.026). In the regression model a higher GDS-score [Odds ratio (OR): 1.219 (p < 0.001)], more sleeping problems [OR: 1.550 (p = 0.017)] and higher education class [middle/high: OR: 1.474/1.875 (p = 0.037/0.004)] were significantly associated with SCD. This study identified depressive symptoms, sleeping problems, and higher education classes as factors associated with SCD, which can represent an early form of dementia.

The impact of education level and socioeconomic status on the association between depressive symptoms and memory in an older population in Latin America: An exploratory analysis from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-BRAZIL)

“…( 27 ) More recently, Zollinger et al suggested that depressive symptoms were associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive decline, in a German population. ( 26 ) Finally, in a study involving Brazilian subjects, cognitive and functional impairment were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. ( 28 )…”

“…Our findings are aligned with previous studies investigating the association between depressive symptoms and memory loss. ( [26] , [27] , [28] ) For example, in an ongoing longitudinal study, Wilson et.al suggested that the risk of Alzheimer's disease was increased in patients with depressive symptoms, measured with CES D-8 score. ( 27 ) More recently, Zollinger et al suggested that depressive symptoms were associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive decline, in a German population.…”

Prevalence of depression among Egyptian male older adults with subjective cognitive decline

“…In Egypt the prevalence of depression among elderly above 60 years old the prevalence ranged from 23.7% to 74.5% for elderly in residential and household communities [13], 37.5% for older adults in geriatric homes, and 72% for inpatient [14]. Both SCD and depression were found to be risk factors to each other, as older population with SCD are more prone to develop depression than the those without SCD [15]. On the other hand, depressed individuals have higher risk to progress to SCD compared to the non-depressed.…”