Research highlights depression trends in community-dwelling older adults

Considerable variation in the prevalence of depression was found in a multi-region sample of community-dwelling older adults in the United States, reports a study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Until now, few studies have examined the incidence of depression in community-dwelling older adults in the US. The study is published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Of the 2,900 participants studied, 6.2 percent had depression. Seniors who had a negative history of depression or had an annual household income of $50,000 or more had significantly reduced odds of depression. Volunteering was a factor in reducing the odds of depression – with a 43% reduction.

Our findings add to existing research on the epidemiology and prevention of depression in older adults. Specifically, it provides empirical data on the prevalence of depression among community-dwelling older adults in the US and the potential role of volunteering in moderating the risk of depression in older adults.”

Yitao Xi, MPH, recent Epidemiology graduate from the Columbia Mailman School and first author

Using data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study of 2,990 active drivers aged 65–79 without significant cognitive impairment, researchers examined the prevalence and correlates of depression in this multisite sample of community-dwelling adults who were enrolled and evaluated between July 2015 and March 2017 by primary care clinics or health care systems in five studies locations: Ann Arbor, MI; Baltimore, MD; Cooperstown, New York; Denver, CO; and San Diego, CA. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS®) depression scale was used to determine depression status. Participants were also assessed by questionnaires, medical record abstraction, functional tests (eg, grip strength), and a comprehensive review of current medications.

Among the participants 7 percent were women. 8 percent were not married. 8 percent had a high school diploma or less, and 11 percent had an annual household income of less than $50,000. Increased prevalence rates of depression were found in those who: were 65–69 years old (8 percent), while those aged 70-74 years had significantly lower odds of depression.

“The 65-69 age group often faces major life changes, such as retirement or the onset of chronic illnesses, which may contribute to depressive symptoms,” said Guohua Li, MD, DrPH, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, senior author and principal investigator. of the LongROAD study. “This finding is consistent with other reports showing that age 65 and older often comes with factors such as increased physical health problems or chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, stress, cognitive impairment, and loss of social networks — which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and symptoms of depression Alternatively, those involved in voluntary activities had a significantly lower prevalence of depression.’

In addition to the effect of volunteering in reducing the chances of depression, the study also confirms the important role of marital status in the prevalence of depression. “It’s well known that social relationships in general and marriage in particular can provide social support and protect against mental health problems,” notes Lee, who is also a professor of anesthesiology at Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 1.4 billion people aged 60 and over. This assessment is accompanied by public health challenges such as increasing prevalence of depression due to comorbid medical conditions and inadequate social support. Globally, depression among the elderly is a serious concern.

“Our findings confirm the important role played by sociodemographic and medical factors in the prevalence of late-life depression,” Li points out. “Our study highlights the need for policies that enhance financial security for older adults and provides further evidence for the potential protective role of volunteering in mitigating the risk of depression.”

Dr. Soo Borson, editor of the journal, wrote: “Xi et al.’s important study deserves widespread attention. In addition to reminding us that older adults with chronic illness, prior depression, and sociodemographic disadvantage are more likely to develop depression, they find A possible protective effect of volunteering – even in people with a history of depression Interestingly, their data show that the period around ‘normal’ retirement age – the means to the late 60s – is one of the highest rates of depression In the early days of geriatrics in the United States, retirement was recognized as a developmental stage fraught with potential risks — loss of purpose, personal worth. And it means that all the experiences that are halfway through depression Retirement is still a defining life event, but its timing has spread widely across the age span The value of “work” in all its forms — especially work of service to others far beyond last paycheck.”

Co-authors are Thelma Mielenz, Columbia Mailman School. Howard F. Andrews, Columbia Mailman School and Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons; Linda L. Hill, University of California, San Diego; David Strogatz, Bassett Research Institute; Carolyn DiGuiseppi, University of Colorado School of Public Health. Marian Betz, University of Colorado School of Medicine and VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center; Vanya Jones, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; David Eby and Lisa Molnar, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. and Barbara H. Lang, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.

The Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers project was funded by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.