Depressive Symptoms In Elderly Women Research Articles

Association of neighborhood greenness with depressive symptoms in elderly women

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Epidemiological evidence of the beneficial association between greenness and depression in the elderly is still limited and results of studies are inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between neighbourhood greenness and depression in elderly women. METHODS: We enrolled 821 women (aged 66-80) from the German SALIA cohort for the 2007-2010 follow-up examination. Greenness was assessed for each participant using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (year 2009) for different circular buffers (100-m, 300-m, 500-m and 1000-m) around the residential address. We used two depression outcomes: self-reported doctor diagnosis of ever depression and the frequency of depressive symptoms by using the 20-items Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-R). Cross-sectional associations were assessed using adjusted logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS:In the adjusted models, a 0.1-point increase in NDVI within 300-m was associated with a decreased odds of prior diagnosis of depression (odds ratios (OR): 0.691, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.495, 0.965). Similarly, a 0.1-point increase in NDVI within 1000-m was associated with decreased depressive symptoms assessed with the CESD-R score (-12.5% difference in the mean; 95% CI: -21.2%, -3.7%). The results were not consistent across different buffers even though they were in the same direction. CONCLUSIONS:Urban greening might potentially decrease depression rates in elderly population. KEYWORDS: depression, depressive symptoms, elderly, greenspace, NDVI

The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women.

Sunlight has been reported to have various beneficial effects on human health. Although research indicates an association between sunlight exposure and depressive symptoms, no study has examined it among the older adult population, especially among elderly Chinese women. This cross-sectional study addresses the aforesaid gap by investigating this association in 1,429 Chinese women aged 60 years and older. Information on their sunlight exposure was collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). The logistic regression models revealed that greater exposure to sunlight is associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. In the final adjusted model, when the short sunlight exposure category (reference) was compared with the medium and long ones, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the prevalence of depressive symptoms (SDS cutoff ≥ 45) were 0.84 (0.60, 1.19) and 0.62 (0.43, 0.91), respectively (p-value for trend = 0.01). This significant association did not change when the SDS cutoff points were altered to ≥ 40 and ≥ 50. Findings indicate that an increased sunlight exposure duration is associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly women.

Associations of urinary bisphenol A and its alternatives bisphenol S and F concentrations with depressive symptoms among adults

BackgroundBisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), as substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA), are synthetic compounds detected increasingly frequently in plastics and resins. BPA, BPS, and BPF are endocrine disruptors with unclear effects on depressive symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effects of these compounds on depressive symptoms in adults. MethodsWe used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016 for BPA (N = 7,085) and NHANES 2013–2016 for BPS and BPF (N = 2,707). BPA, BPS and BPF were detected in urine samples. Depressive symptoms were assessed with a nine-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression models were used to investigate the effects of urinary BPA, BPS, and BPF concentrations on depressive symptoms. ResultsIn the general population, no significant association was observed between urinary BPA, BPS, and BPF and depressive symptoms. However, in stratified analyses, urinary BPS was positively associated with depressive symptoms in men (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–7.47). In elderly men (≥60 years old), urinary BPA and BPS were positively correlated with depressive symptoms with ORs (95% CIs) of 5.53 (1.55–19.70) and 28.89 (4.23–192.75), respectively. In addition, urinary BPS was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04–0.59) in elderly women (≥60 years old). ConclusionsThis study indicated that exposure to BPA and BPS was positively associated with depressive symptoms, especially in men. However, BPS was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in elderly women.

Qualidade de vida e prevalência de sintomas depressivos em idosas com dor crônica

Este estudo buscou avaliar a qualidade de vida e a prevalência de sintomas depressivos em idosas com dor crônica. Tratou-se de um estudo quantitativo de cunho transversal, descritivo e comparativo em que foram comparadas 65 idosas com dor crônica (grupo dor – GD) e sem dor crônica (grupo sem dor crônica - GSD) de um município da região norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Como instrumentos foram utilizados um questionário socioeconômico e de saúde, a escala de Medida de Dor Geriátrica (Geriatric Pain Measure - GPM), a escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15) e a escala de qualidade de vida WHOQOL-Bref. A prevalência de dor crônica foi de 52,3% e para estas idosas houve prevalência sintomas depressivos em 18,4%, já no grupo sem dor crônica 9,2% tiveram esses sintomas, mas não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos. Entretanto, pode-se concluir que por mais que a prevalência de sintomas depressivos seja baixa, as idosas com dor apresentaram menor satisfação com a qualidade de vida comparadas com as sem dor.

Air pollution is associated with depressive symptoms in elderly women with cognitive impairment

BackgroundStudies on air pollution and depression in the elderly are limited and the results are heterogeneous. ObjectivesWe examined the association of ambient air pollution exposure and diagnosis and symptoms of depression in the elderly; and whether any associations were confounded or modified by cognitive decline. MethodsWe enrolled 821 elderly women from the German SALIA cohort (follow-up examination, 2007–2010). Self-reported depressive symptoms and level of cognition were evaluated using the CESD-R Scale and the CERAD-Plus test, respectively. We used two depression endpoints for analyses: self-reported doctor diagnosis of depression and frequency of depressive symptoms (CESD-R score). Long-term concentrations of particulate matter (PM) size fractions and nitrogen oxides (NOx) modeled by land-use regression were assigned to home addresses. Cross-sectional associations were assessed using adjusted logistic and linear regression models. ResultsConcentrations of coarse particles (PMcoarse), fine particles (PM2.5 and PM2.5 abs) and NO2 were significantly associated with diagnosis of depression (e.g. for PM2.5 OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.46 and for NO2 OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.19). Similarly, an increase of one interquartile range in PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and NOx was associated with depressive symptoms assessed with the CESD-R score (e.g. for PM2.5 16.2% difference in the mean; 95% CI: 5.8%, 26.5% and for NO2 14.5%; 95% CI: 4.8%, 24.2%). These associations were stronger in women with cognitive decline (e.g. Pint for PM2.5:0.022 and NO2:0.017) compared to women with normal cognition. In addition, living less than 100 m distance to major roads was significantly associated with diagnosis (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.47) and symptoms (19.7%; 95% CI: 4.3%, 35.1%) of depression. We did not observe any interaction effect of cognition on prior diagnosis of depression. ConclusionsExposure to air pollution was associated with diagnosis of depression and depressive symptoms in elderly women. Women with impaired cognition may be at greater risk of depressive symptoms when exposed to air pollution.

The role of education on the association between disability and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: Evidence from Frailty in Brazilian Older People (Fibra) study

ObjectivesTo explore whether higher socioeconomic status attenuates the effects of depressive symptoms on disability among older adults. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study based on 596 older adults, aged 65 and over, from a large city (Belo Horizonte) in Brazil. Disability was defined as limitation in activities such as Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Covariates were age, comorbidities, Body Mass Index (BMI) and grip strength. Statistical analyses were based on Ordinal Logistic Regression and calculated separately for men and women. ResultsElderly women with disability and higher education levels have similar prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those without disability (17.9% and 16.1%, respectively), but lower compared to those disabled with lower education (37.2%). A positive gradient trend was observed for depressive symptoms across disability categories among women (OR = 2.61; 95% CI 1.52, 4.48). However, these patterns were not observed among men. ConclusionA higher level of education attenuates odds of depressive symptoms in elderly women with disability but does not eliminate it. Therefore, screening for depressive symptoms in low-educated elderly women is important in order to identify them and start early prevention care for target risk population and decrease the disability expenses for health services.

Physical Function, Cognitive Function, and Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Women with Dysmobility Syndrome

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between physical and cognitive functions and depressive symptoms in elderly women with dysmobility syndrome. For this study, data on 6,070 elderly women were used and 43 of these women had dysmobility syndrome. The tools used in this study were the Physical Functioning (PF) Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean Version (MMSE-K), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)-short form. The level of physical function was significantly lower in the dysmobility syndrome group than in the normal group equivalents. Depressive symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with physical function and each of its sub-categories in the dysmobility syndrome group. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that the only predictor of depressive symptoms among elderly women with dysmobility syndrome was PF 5 (the muscle strength of the upper limbs, β = -3.031, P = 0.004), which explained 41.4% of the variance in depressive symptoms (F = 6.985, P < 0.001). The analysis of newly suggested dysmobility syndrome-related factors is expected to help assess health status of elderly people

Effects of Physical Exercise on Plasma Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Women—A Randomized Clinical Trial

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of 2 standardized exercise programs, muscle strength exercises (SE) and aerobic exercises (AE), on the plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and depressive symptoms in 451 elderly women. DesignA randomized controlled trial. SettingBelo Horizonte/MG–Brazil. ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling older women (N=451; age, 65–89y). InterventionThe participants were divided into 2 groups: SE and AE. Both protocols lasted 10 weeks, and 30 sessions (1-h sessions) in total were performed 3 times a week under the direct supervision of physical therapists. Main Outcome MeasuresPlasma levels of BDNF (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale). ResultsThere was a significant difference for BDNF plasma levels between the SE and AE groups (P=.009). Post hoc analysis revealed a pre-post intervention difference in BDNF levels only for the SE group (P=.008). A statistically significant difference was found for the pre- and postintervention Geriatric Depression Scale scores in both groups (P=.001), showing that the effects of both exercise protocols were comparable regarding depressive symptoms (P=.185). ConclusionsThe present findings have demonstrated the positive effect of muscle strengthening and aerobic intervention on depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly women. Interestingly, only SE significantly increased the plasma levels of BDNF in our sample. The positive effects of physical exercise on depressive symptoms in the elderly were not mediated by BDNF.

Depressive symptoms in elderly women with chronic conditions: Measurement issues

Objective: Depression is highly prevalent in elderly women with chronic conditions and measuring depressive symptoms is complicated by co-occurring chronic illnesses. The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale is commonly used with elders, but its length may result in missing data. Twelve short four to 16 item CES-D forms exist, but their psychometric properties have not been systematically evaluated. Method: This study of 250 elderly women compared reliability and validity estimates for the 20-item CES-D and its 12 short forms; all scales used four response alternatives. The study also investigated whether women with varying numbers of chronic conditions would be similarly classified as depressed based on standardized cut scores. Results: Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 for the 20-item CES-D and alphas ranged from 0.53 to 0.83 for the short forms. Correlations between the 20-item CES-D and the short forms ranged from 0.77 to 0.96. Using the established 20-item CES-D cut score, 12% of the elderly women would be classified with clinically significant depressive symptoms. The shortest scales (four and five item) identified the greatest percentages of women as depressed while the 16-item scale identified the lowest. All 12 short forms showed a trend where more women were classified as depressed as their number of chronic conditions increased. Conclusion: The findings indicate a need for cautious interpretation of findings when shorter forms of the CES-D are used, particularly since shorter forms are less reliable and appear to over-identify women with chronic conditions as having clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

Características de personalidade e depressão em idosas da Universidade para a Terceira Idade (UNITI/UFRGS)

INTRODUÇÃO: Os aspectos de personalidade têm sido apontados como fatores que podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de depressão na velhice. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar a influência da personalidade no surgimento de sintomas depressivos em idosas. MÉTODO: O estudo teve um delineamento transversal, com a participação de 103 idosas, com idade entre 60 e 86 anos e escolaridade mínima de sete anos de estudo, integrantes da Universidade para a Terceira Idade (UNITI/UFRGS), e o processo de amostragem foi o de conveniência. Todas as participantes preencheram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido e responderam a respeito de informações sociodemográficas, fatores de personalidade (Inventário Fatorial de Personalidade - IFP) e depressão (Escala de Depressão Geriátrica - GDS). RESULTADOS: Observou-se a presença de dois grupos (clusters) com características distintas de personalidade: um mais preocupado com os outros (cluster 1) e outro mais voltado para si (cluster 2). Embora ambos os grupos não tenham preenchido os critérios para depressão, ocorreu uma diferença significativa no escore total da GDS, em que o grupo mais preocupado com os outros (cluster 1) apresentou maior intensidade de sintomatologia depressiva. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo aponta para uma associação entre dimensões de personalidade e depressão em idosas. As idosas agrupadas no cluster 1, que são mais voltadas para o outro, mais deferentes, organizadas, persistentes e interativas, apresentaram uma maior intensidade de sintomatologia depressiva em relação àquelas do cluster 2, que são mais voltadas para si próprias, menos interativas e pouco dominantes. Outros estudos são sugeridos.

Prevalência de depressão em idosas participantes da Universidade para a Terceira Idade

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos têm sugerido que o envelhecimento tem relação com a depressão. No entanto, os idosos podem apresentar ausência ou mesmo prevalência baixa de sintomatologia depressiva quando participam de atividades grupais de educação permanente. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a intensidade e prevalência de sintomatologia depressiva em idosas participantes da Universidade para a Terceira Idade (UNITI) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Verificar se o tempo de participação na UNITI ajuda na melhora do humor e as características das participantes antes e após ingressarem na UNITI. MÉTODO: Participaram 103 idosas integrantes da UNITI. Utilizou-se a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS) e uma ficha de dados sociodemográficos, que investigava o tempo de participação na UNITI e sua relação com sintomas depressivos, o papel da UNITI na melhora do humor e características das participantes antes e depois de entrarem na instituição. A amostra foi de conveniência. RESULTADOS: Observou-se ausência de sintomatologia depressiva na GDS na amostra estudada (média = 2,65; desvio padrão = 2,42). Do total de idosas, 80,6% apresentaram escores normais na GDS, e nenhuma apresentou depressão grave. Observou-se diferença significativa entre depressão e tempo de participação na UNITI igual ou superior a 1 ano (p &lt; 0,05). Verificou-se também que as participantes apresentaram melhoras no humor e nas áreas pessoal, intelectual, afetiva e social. CONCLUSÕES: É possível envelhecer bem, com ausência de sintomatologia depressiva. Este estudo aponta para a existência de uma associação, a ser melhor investigada, entre menor intensidade de sintomatologia depressiva e tempo de participação na UNITI superior a 1 ano. Também sugere que a participação em uma universidade para a terceira idade traz melhoras aos idosos.

Changes in instrumental activities of daily living disability after treatment of depressive symptoms in elderly women with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of antidepressant therapy on changes in instrumental activities of daily living disability in elderly female patients with musculoskeletal pain in a controlled study comparing active drugs with a placebo. In an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient trial, 30 female patients (response rate 90.0%) between 70 and 79 were examined. They all had a history of clinically evident musculoskeletal pain, were afflicted with depressive symptoms, and could independently bathe, walk, dress, and transfer (e.g., from a chair) inside the house. The study was performed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Compared with the placebo-group, significant changes in the CES-D (p<0.01) and IADL (p<0.01) scales were observed after eight weeks in the active drug-treated subjects. Treatment of depressive symptoms may be efficacious in reducing IADL disability in elderly female patients afflicted with musculoskeletal pain.

Postmenopausal estrogen therapy and depressive symptoms in older women.

Evidence regarding the effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on mood is limited. To determine whether postmenopausal estrogen therapy is associated with fewer depressive symptoms in elderly women, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 6, 602 white women ages 71 years or older who were recruited from population-based listings in Baltimore, Md; Minneapolis, Minn; Portland, Ore; and the Monongahela Valley, Pa. Use of estrogen and progestin was determined by interview. Participants completed the Geriatric Depression Scale short form (GDS) and were considered depressed if they reported 6 or more of 15 possible symptoms of depression. A total of 6.3% (72/1,150) of current estrogen users, 7.2% (142/1,964) of past estrogen users, and 9.0% (313/3,488) of never users reported 6 or more symptoms of depression (P =.004). Current estrogen users had a decreased risk of reporting 6 or more depressive symptoms, compared with not current (past or never) users of estrogen (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5 to 0.9; P =.01], adjusted for living alone, bilateral oophorectomy, current smoking, physical activity, social network, self-perceived health, cognitive function, functional status, and antidepressant use. However, excluding women who use estrogen or progestin alone, we were unable to find an association between current use of combined estrogen plus progestin therapy and depressive symptoms (adjusted OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.4; P =.5). This cross-sectional study found that current use of unopposed estrogen was associated with a decreased risk of depressive symptoms in older women. Additional studies are needed to understand the effect of combined estrogen and progestin therapy on the prevalence of depressive symptoms in older women.