Predicting Comorbidities, Nutritional Status, and Neuropsychological Performance of Depressed and Nondepressed Geriatric Communities: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: The understanding of the relationship between comorbidities, nutritional status, and cognitive manifestations in depression is limited. This study investigated and compared the association between comorbidity status, nutritional status, and neuropsychological performance in depressed and nondepressed community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 318 elderly people aged 60 years and above from 15 low-cost public residential buildings located in the Cheras area, Malaysia. Structured in-person questionnaires were administered to obtain information regarding demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial characteristics. The GDS-15 Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptomatology with a threshold of ≤4/≥5. Comorbidity status was confirmed by examination of medical records. Indication of nutritional status included anthropometric measurements, nutritional intake assessments, and biochemical analyses. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessments were conducted to assess cognitive function. All tested parameters were compared with the symptoms of depression. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.2%. Subjects who were lacking habitual exercise were two-fold more likely to have symptoms of depression (adjusted odds ratio: 2.163; 95% confidence interval: 1.236–3.788; p < 0.01). Depressed and nondepressed patients had the same trends in comorbidity status, and no significant differences were noted between the groups on any of the nutritional assessments. However, depressed patients had poorer global cognitive functions (F = 4.740, p < 0.05) and verbal immediate verbal learning and memory (F = 4.113, p < 0.05) compared with the nondepressed patients. Conclusion: This study found that less exercise is an independent predictor of depressive symptomatology. Cognition-enhancing interventions are needed for the at-risk elderly with depressive symptoms in order to prevent the progression to severe depression.

Keywords

• cognitive function
• comorbidity
• depression
• nutritional status
• prevalence