Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan
Abstract Background To investigate the associations between five depressive symptom trajectories and cognitive impairment in Taiwan’s older population. In addition, we investigated the moderating factors influencing these associations. Methods This population-based, longitudinal, cohort study was co...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05706-1 |
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| author | Hsiao-Chen Lin Wai-Lam Lao Te-Chia Tseng Chih-Jung Yeh |
| author_facet | Hsiao-Chen Lin Wai-Lam Lao Te-Chia Tseng Chih-Jung Yeh |
| author_sort | Hsiao-Chen Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background To investigate the associations between five depressive symptom trajectories and cognitive impairment in Taiwan’s older population. In addition, we investigated the moderating factors influencing these associations. Methods This population-based, longitudinal, cohort study was conducted on the basis of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. Data corresponding to the fifth (2003), sixth (2007), and seventh (2011) survey waves were analyzed, focusing on individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Depressive symptom trajectories were analyzed using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, and cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were adjusted for various covariates such as sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables. We also investigated moderating effects of sex, age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Results Five trajectories of depressive symptoms included 1,549 older individuals were identified. Approximately 36.09%, 47.13%, 5.68%, 6.20%, and 4.91% exhibited no, mild, decreasing, increasing, and persistent depressive symptom trajectories, respectively. The odds ratios for cognitive impairment were 3.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41–7.15) in Model 1; 3.24 (95% CI: 1.42–7.41) in Model 2; and 2.95 (95% CI: 1.24–7.00) in Model 3 in individuals with persistent depressive symptom trajectory. Only persistent depressive symptom trajectory reached statistical significance in all three models. Cognitive decline was evident across all trajectories. The rate of cognitive decline was more rapidly in the persistent depressive symptom trajectory, nearly twofold to no depressive symptom trajectory, which the corresponding β values (score/year) were − 0.0862, − 0.1020, − 0.1192, − 0.1206, and − 0.1683 for the no, mild, decreasing, increasing, and persistent depressive symptom trajectories, respectively. Female sex, older age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease were significant moderators on the risk of cognitive impairment. Discussion Persistent depressive symptoms is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Identifying high-risk subgroups is crucial for targeted assistance. Policymakers and health-care professionals should be informed accordingly. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ae8ab1739764d6aba1b7f31808c1605 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ae8ab1739764d6aba1b7f31808c16052025-02-02T12:41:49ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-01-0125111210.1186/s12877-025-05706-1Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in TaiwanHsiao-Chen Lin0Wai-Lam Lao1Te-Chia Tseng2Chih-Jung Yeh3Department of Public Health, College of Health Care and Management, Chung Shan Medical UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Care and Management, Chung Shan Medical UniversitySchool of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Care and Management, Chung Shan Medical UniversityAbstract Background To investigate the associations between five depressive symptom trajectories and cognitive impairment in Taiwan’s older population. In addition, we investigated the moderating factors influencing these associations. Methods This population-based, longitudinal, cohort study was conducted on the basis of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. Data corresponding to the fifth (2003), sixth (2007), and seventh (2011) survey waves were analyzed, focusing on individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Depressive symptom trajectories were analyzed using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, and cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were adjusted for various covariates such as sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables. We also investigated moderating effects of sex, age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Results Five trajectories of depressive symptoms included 1,549 older individuals were identified. Approximately 36.09%, 47.13%, 5.68%, 6.20%, and 4.91% exhibited no, mild, decreasing, increasing, and persistent depressive symptom trajectories, respectively. The odds ratios for cognitive impairment were 3.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41–7.15) in Model 1; 3.24 (95% CI: 1.42–7.41) in Model 2; and 2.95 (95% CI: 1.24–7.00) in Model 3 in individuals with persistent depressive symptom trajectory. Only persistent depressive symptom trajectory reached statistical significance in all three models. Cognitive decline was evident across all trajectories. The rate of cognitive decline was more rapidly in the persistent depressive symptom trajectory, nearly twofold to no depressive symptom trajectory, which the corresponding β values (score/year) were − 0.0862, − 0.1020, − 0.1192, − 0.1206, and − 0.1683 for the no, mild, decreasing, increasing, and persistent depressive symptom trajectories, respectively. Female sex, older age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease were significant moderators on the risk of cognitive impairment. Discussion Persistent depressive symptoms is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Identifying high-risk subgroups is crucial for targeted assistance. Policymakers and health-care professionals should be informed accordingly.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05706-1Cognitive impairmentDementiaTaiwan Longitudinal Study on AgingDepressive symptomsOlder adultsTrajectory |
| spellingShingle | Hsiao-Chen Lin Wai-Lam Lao Te-Chia Tseng Chih-Jung Yeh Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan BMC Geriatrics Cognitive impairment Dementia Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Depressive symptoms Older adults Trajectory |
| title | Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan |
| title_full | Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan |
| title_fullStr | Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan |
| title_short | Persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment: a population-based longitudinal study of aging in Taiwan |
| title_sort | persistent depressive symptom trajectory is associated with cognitive impairment a population based longitudinal study of aging in taiwan |
| topic | Cognitive impairment Dementia Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Depressive symptoms Older adults Trajectory |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05706-1 |
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