Key result
In older adults with poorer functional ability, each 10-mmHg lower systolic blood pressure was associated with a 0.63-point higher Apathy Scale score, with no association for depression.
Cross-Sectional (n=430)
Lower blood pressure is associated with increased symptoms of apathy, but not depression, specifically in older adults with poorer functional ability.
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Lower BP was associated with more apathy only in functionally impaired older adults; hypothesis-generating for tailored targets, prospective studies needed.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between blood pressure (BP) measures and symptoms of apathy and depression in older adults with various levels of functional ability. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Discontinuation of Antihypertensive Treatment in Elderly people (DANTE) Study Leiden. SETTING: Primary care setting, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling individuals aged 75 and older (N = 430). MEASUREMENTS: Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured during home visits. Symptoms of apathy and depression were assessed using the Apathy Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), respectively. Stratified linear regression was performed in participants with better and worse functional ability according to the median of the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. RESULTS: In participants with lower functional ability, each 10-mmHg lower SBP, DBP, and MAP was associated with higher Apathy Scale scores (0.63, 0.92, and 0.94 points, respectively, all P < .005) but not with GDS-15 scores. In participants with higher functional ability, BP measures were not associated with Apathy Scale or GDS-15 scores. CONCLUSION: In older participants with poorer functional ability, lower BP was associated with more symptoms of apathy but not depression.
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Moonen et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in Apathy and depression (n=430). Lower blood pressure was evaluated on Apathy Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) scores (0.63 points higher Apathy score per 10-mmHg lower SBP, p=<.005). In older adults with poorer functional ability, each 10-mmHg lower systolic blood pressure was associated with a 0.63-point higher Apathy Scale score, with no association for depression.
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