Association between depressive symptoms and disability in older adults of 12 high Andean communities from Peru

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the association between depressive symptoms and disability in older adults residing in 12 high Andean communities in Peru. Material and Methods:We carried out a secondary data analysis of a crosssectional study that included older adults (60 years or older) from 12 high Andean communities in Peru from 2013 to 2019. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score of two or more in the abbreviated Geriatric Depression Scale, while disability was defined as a score of less than 95 in the Barthel index. We also included sociodemographic characteristics, medical and personal history, and functional and performance-based tests. We used crude and adjusted Poisson regression models to evaluate the association of interest and estimated prevalence ratios (PR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results:We included 442 older adults with a mean age of 73 � 6.9 in the analysis; 63.1% (n = 279) were women, and 79.9% (n = 353) had no education or incomplete primary school. 50.9% (n = 225) of the participants had depressive symptoms, and 49.8% (n = 220) had disability. The adjusted Poisson regression model showed that depressive symptoms increased the probability of disability (adjusted PR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.34-2.08; p < 0.001) in older adults living at high altitude.Conclusions: Depressive symptoms was associated with a greater probability of disability in older adults living at high altitude. Longitudinal studies are needed for better understanding of this association in high altitude populations along with timely interventions to reduce the impact of both geriatric syndromes.

Cognitive Frailty as a Predictor of Mortality in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study in Peru

“…Our findings indicate the need for timely identification of cognitive frailty in primary care in order to reduce adverse outcomes. This is very important in our country due to the high prevalence of frailty (17.5 to 23.3%) and cognitive impairment (18.2 to 36.67%) described in several studies (49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54).…”

The Mediating Effect of Coping Strategies on the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults from Chiclayo

“…In the Peruvian context, depression among elderly people is a signi cant public health issue. Studies conducted in the country have revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in this population varies from 10.8% to 40.7% [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. This wide range of prevalence can be attributed to differences in study methodologies and the characteristics of the populations studied.…”

“…The impact of depression on elderly Peruvians is considerable. Depressive symptoms have been associated with a greater likelihood of disability in elderly individuals living at high altitudes [10]. Moreover, a positive association between depression and malnutrition has been found in this population, with a greater risk of malnutrition observed in older individuals with depression [15].…”