PulseTrendingJournal ClubResearchersJournalsExplore
Instagram
HomeTrendingJournal ClubExplore
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
September 15, 2020Annals of General PsychiatryOpen Access

Untreated depressive symptoms significantly worsen quality of life in old age and may lead to the misdiagnosis of dementia: a cross-sectional study

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

Depressive mood and cognitive impairment are linked to elevated mortality and decreased quality of life in old age, but whether these symptoms are recognized, treated, and interconnected needed further assessment.

Population

60 older persons over the age of 65

Design

Cross-sectional study

Key result

Older adults with depressive symptoms had significantly poorer quality of life (OPQOL-Brief score 43.85 vs 53.97) and lower cognitive levels compared to non-depressed subjects.

Authors

VVViktor VörösSFSándor FeketeTTTamás Tényi

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Depressive symptoms may impair QoL and cognition in older adults; cross-sectional data leave causality and screening impact open.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=60)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P
Population
60 older persons over the age of 65
O
Outcome
Quality of Life (QoL), depressive symptoms and cognitive functions assessed via self-administered questionnaires and clinical screening toolspatient reported

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 43.85% vs 53.97%

p-value: p=<0.001

Depressive symptoms are common but under-recognized in older adults, significantly worsening quality of life and correlating with cognitive impairment.

Limitations

  • Low number of cases
  • Only included older persons whose mental and physical condition was good enough to consent and complete questionnaires
  • Clinical screening tools used cannot clinically diagnose depression or dementia
  • Use of structured clinical interview may be of limited value in older adults due to cognitive decline

Cite This Study

Vörös et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment in old age (n=60). Depressive symptoms (GDS positive) vs. No depressive symptoms (GDS negative) was evaluated on OPQOL-Brief score (p=<0.001). Older adults with depressive symptoms had significantly poorer quality of life (OPQOL-Brief score 43.85 vs 53.97) and lower cognitive levels compared to non-depressed subjects.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0a2e164b13cba792519bdfhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-020-00302-6
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share