Estimated cardiorespiratory fitness level and utilization of antidepressants among older adults before and after the COVID-19 lockdown: Findings from the HUNT4 Trondheim 70+ study

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) refers to the capacity of the cardiovascular and respiratory system to process oxygen. CRF is associated with depressive symptoms and findings suggest that CRF decreased significantly in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, purchase of prescribed antidepressants before and after the pandemic lockdown by CRF level in older adults has not yet been described. This longitudinal study included 1221 community-dwelling older adults ≥70 years old participating in the Norwegian HUNT4 Trondheim 70+ study (2018–2019). Data on estimated CRF (eCRF) were linked to the Norwegian Prescribed Drug Registry and utilized defined daily doses (DDDs) of antidepressants from January 2019 throughout December 2021. Paired t -tests were performed to assess changes in DDDs before and after the Norwegian COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. Participants had a mean ( M ) and standard deviation ( SD ) age of 76.5 (5.2) years, 53.6% were women. In the total sample, the results showed a significant rise in purchase of antidepressants from before ( M = 1.25, SD = 7.17) compared to after the lockdown ( M = 1.52, SD = 7.86); t (1220) = −2.47, p = 0.014). The number of participants purchasing antidepressants also increased in the total sample and within each of the eCRF groups. In the different eCRF groups, only individuals in the highest eCRF tertile showed a significant higher purchase of antidepressants after the lockdown ( M = 1.44, SD = 6.65); t (413) = −2.63, p = 0.009) compared to the year before ( M = 0.99, SD = 5.21). Compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the utilization of antidepressants increased in community-dwelling older adults, with the steepest increase observed among those with the highest eCRF levels. • Purchase of antidepressants among community-dwelling older adults exhibited a significant rise during the second year following the COVID-19 lockdown. • The acquisition of antidepressant was highest among those with lowest fitness level during the entire study period. • The utilization of antidepressants showed steepest increase after COVID-19 lockdown in those with the highest fitness level.