Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to prospectively assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and change in self-rated health (SRH) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. MethodsWe used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The final analysis included 8169 participants (≥45 years old) and a multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association between baseline depression and follow-up change in SRH. ResultsTaking no change in SRH as the reference, depressive symptoms at baseline were positively associated with a 2-year decline in SRH (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.15–1.65) and negatively associated with a 2-year improvement in SRH (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63–0.85). Over a 4-year period, the OR (95% CI) values increased to 1.41 (1.19–1.67) and decreased to 0.69 (0.59–0.80) for decline and improvement in SRH, respectively. In stratified analyses, the association between depression and 2- or 4-year decline/improvement in SRH persisted in all sex and age subgroups. ConclusionsBaseline depression is an independent predictor of change in SRH among Chinese people aged 45 and above. Early monitoring and management of depressive symptoms may be worthwhile to maintain and improve SRH in the middle-aged and elderly population.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
