What does this research mean for the field?

The complex cardiometabolic pattern is associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 years and older, while sufficient physical activity and digital inclusion are associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

January 10, 2026BMC Medicine0 citationsOpen Access

Clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, digital exclusion, and depressive symptoms trajectories in adults aged 50 years and older: findings from two prospective cohort studies

XDXiaosheng DongShandong University JXJiaqiang XiaoShandong Normal University XYXiangren YiShandong University

Key Result

The complex cardiometabolic pattern was associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms, while sufficient physical activity and digital inclusion reduced these odds.

Key Points

This research aims to explore the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, digital exclusion, and depressive symptoms in older adults.
Utilized data from two prospective cohort studies
Assessed cardiometabolic risk factors and depressive symptom trajectories
Evaluated physical activity levels and digital inclusion
Obesity-hypertension was linked to higher odds of moderately severe depressive symptoms.
A complex cardiometabolic pattern was associated with increased depressive symptoms trajectories.
Sufficient physical activity and digital inclusion correlated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms.

Structured PICO

Are clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, and digital exclusion associated with depressive symptom trajectories in adults aged 50 years and older?

Population

8,999 adults aged 50 years and older from two prospective cohort studies (Health and Retirement Study [HRS] in the USA, n=4,380; English Longitudinal Study of Ageing [ELSA] in the UK, n=4,519). Mean age was 68.2 in HRS and 65.2 in ELSA. 28.0% of HRS and 22.0% of ELSA participants had baseline cardiovascular disease.

Intervention

Complex cardiometabolic risk profile (abdominal obesity, elevated systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia) or obesity-hypertension profile, along with sufficient physical activity and digital inclusion.

Comparator

Healthy obesity profile, insufficient physical activity, and digital exclusion.

Outcome

Trajectories of depressive symptoms (mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe) assessed using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-8).patient reported

Complex cardiometabolic risk profiles increase the risk of worsening depressive symptom trajectories in older adults, but sufficient physical activity and digital inclusion may mitigate this risk.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

The obesity-hypertension was only associated with increased odds of the moderately severe depressive symptom trajectory, while the complex cardiometabolic pattern was associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms trajectories; in contrast, sufficient PA and digital inclusion were associated with reduced odds.

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