The role of depressive symptoms in successful aging in older adults

Neyda Ma Mendoza-Ruvalcaba* and Elva Dolores Arias-Merino

Background: Depressive symptomatology is a prevalent and disabling condition in older adults, considered as a public health problem due to its devastating consequences reducing the chances to successfully age. The objective of this study is to analyze the role of depressive symptomatology as risk factor for successful aging in older adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, participants n=401 community-dwelling older adults 60 years and older previous informed consent. Depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and Successful aging according to Rowe and Kahn criteria. Risk analyses crude and adjusted were performed. 

Results: Depressive symptomatology was reported by 27.2% of the participants, only 11% met the criteria for successful aging. Depressive symptoms referring anhedonia were significant as risk factors for successful aging: drooped many activities and interests (OR=5.58), feelings of emptiness in life (OR= 2.43), often getting bored (OR=3.52) and preferring to stay home rather than going out and doing new things (OR=3.95). Symptoms of depressed mood were also related significantly to successful aging, feeling helpless (OR=2.79) and feeling in a hopeless situation (OR=4.15). Also was related the symptom of fatigue (OR=3.12) and the afraid that something bad happens (2.08). OR adjusted were only significant for anhedonia symptoms: drooped many activities and interests, preferring to stay home rather than going out and doing new things, and their interaction. 

Conclusions: In this study we went deeper to identify specific depressive symptomatology and found that most significant depressive symptoms associated with successful aging were those involving anhedonia. It is necessary to diagnose and provide a treatment to prevent the negative consequences of depression in older adults, hence, promoting better chances for aging successfully. 

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Published on: Mar 25, 2021 Pages: 12-16

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-5460.000060
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