Depressivity and mortality risk in a cohort of elderly men. A role of cognitive and vascular ill-health, and social participation

Abstract

Objectives: Depressive symptoms in the elderly have been shown to be associated with increased mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine symptoms of depression in octogenarian men and their association with all-cause mortality, and whether physical, cognitive and social factors influence this association. Methods: Out of the 703 initially included 55-years-old men, from the prospective cohort study "Men born in 1914", we studied 163 survivors who could take a part in a survey at age 81, and followed them until their death. Results: Those men who had at least mild depressive symptoms, defined with Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, were found to have an increased mortality risk (HR ¼ 1.52; CI ¼1.10-2.08; p ¼ 0.01). This association persisted significantly after adjusting for: education, global cognition at age 81, cognitive abilities at age 68, vascular risk factors and comorbidities. Instead, it was attenuated after adjustments for Activities of Daily Life (ADL)dependency and for a grade of Satisfaction with Participation in daily life. Conclusion: In octogenarian men with survival above the average, mild depressive symptoms predict all-cause mortality. Neither cognitive capacity nor vascular comorbidity explained this association, but lower Satisfaction with Participation in daily life, especially in combination with moderate ADL-dependency.

Impact of the Changes in the Frequency of Social Participation on All-Cause Mortality in Japanese Older Adults: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

“…In our results, social participation was also associated with a decreased risk of mortality in men. Our results and previous findings on the association between depression and increased risk of mortality [ 26 , 27 ] have suggested that social participation contributed to a decreased risk of mortality in Japanese men who were more likely to experience a retirement event in their 60s. For women, there was no association between changes in frequency of social participation and a decreased risk of mortality.…”

“…A report which examined the relationship between the changes in social capital and depression observed that changes in social capital were important in the prevention of depression [ 24 ]. Based on these reports and findings that self-related health and depressive symptoms increased the risk of mortality [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], continued social participation may prevent depressive symptoms and other health problems, maintain health, and provide a protective effect against mortality.…”

Different dimensions of social support differentially predict psychological well‐being in late life: opposite effects of perceived emotional support and marital status on symptoms of anxiety and of depression in older outpatients in Italy

“…Symptoms of anxiety and of depression (hereafter also referred to as psychological distress) are common in older adults 5 and have been associated with greater morbidity 6,7 and mortality, 8,9 and poor quality of life 10 . With the exponential ageing of the world population, 11 psychological well‐being in late life is set to become a major public health issue.…”

Sintomatologia depressiva e mortalidade em idosos da América Latina: uma revisão sistemática com metanálise

“…A presença da sintomatologia depressiva traz consequências como aumento da incidência de doenças cardiovasculares (7,8), doença coronariana, insuficiência cardíaca, acidente vascular cerebral (9), maior risco de complicações dialíticas e redução da qualidade de vida (8). Outro desfecho associado à sintomatologia depressiva que vem ganhando destaque é o aumento do risco de mortalidade (7,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). O melhor entendimento dessa associação é de interesse da saúde pública, pois pode apoiar estratégias que visem à promoção da saúde da pessoa idosa, diminuir potenciais impactos nos sistemas de saúde e previdenciário e guiar a implementação de estratégias de controle e prevenção da sintomatologia depressiva (8).…”