Zhongguo quanke yixue (Jan 2025)
Associations and Sex Differences between Depression and Cognitive Function in the Urban Elderly
Abstract
Background The aging of our population is a growing problem, and depression is one of the more common psychiatric disorders in the elderly population, leading to a significantly increased risk of disability and death. The studies found a significant association between depression and cognitive disorders, and that this association may be influenced by sex. Sex differences in the associations between depression with cognitive functions and different cognitive domains are not clear in the elderly population. Objective Population ageing has become a common global phenomenon, and psychiatric problems associated with ageing are of great concern. This study investigated the status of depression and cognitive function in the urban elderly and examined the associations and sex differences between depression and cognitive function. Methods From September to October 2022, a stratified sampling method was used to select elderly residents aged 65 years and above in a community within the city of Hefei, Anhui province as the participants. General information was collected and depression and cognitive function status were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Brief Screening Scale for Dementia (BSSD), respectively. We explored the factors associated with depression in the elderly and analyzed the effects of depression, sex factors and their interactions on cognitive functioning. Results A total of 328 older adults were included and the overall detection rate for depression was 14.9 %. Regression analyses showed that drinking (OR=0.362, 95%CI=0.155-0.847), and living with children (OR=2.445, 95%CI=1.021-5.853) were independently associated with depression (P<0.05). Factorial design analysis of variance showed that the total score of BSSD and scores of language (command) comprehension, attention and computation, orientation in place, orientation in time, and immediate memory factors were lower in the depressed group of the elderly than in the non-depressed group. Females had a lower total score of BSSD, lower scores of general knowledge and picture and orientation in place, and a higher score of language (command) comprehension than males (P<0.05). Depression and sex had significant interactions in general knowledge and picture, language (command) comprehension, and orientation in place (P<0.05) . Conclusion The urban elderly are at a higher risk of depression, and those with comorbid depression may have a certain degree of cognitive decline, with sex differences. Increased attention should be paid to psychiatric problems such as depression and dementia among the elderly, especially for the female geriatric population. It is necessary to develop individualised and comprehensive interventions to improve the mental health and quality of life of the elderly.
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