Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Institutionalized Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: In the last three decades, the relationship between depression and cognition in geriatric patients has been a popular topic among researchers and clinicians. Clinical and epidemiological research has focused on the identification of risk factors that could be modified in pre-dementia syndromes, at a preclinical and early clinical stage of dementia disorders, with specific attention to the role of depression. The objective of this work was to determine the relationship between depressive disorder and cognitive deterioration in institutionalized older adults. METHODS: In this descriptive, correlational study, data were gathered from two nursing homes in the province of Jaen (Spain), from a random sample of 140 older adults (70 nondependent and 70 dependent). The variables were measured using comprehensive geriatric assessment, the Cambridge Cognitive Test (CAMCOG), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: Depression was correlated with cognitive level in the nondependent older adult sample (r = -0.471, p = 0.004). Age was inversely associated with the score obtained in the CAMCOG of the nondependent older adult sample (r = -0.352, p = 0.038). The functional capacity in several activities of daily living was correlated with the score obtained in the CAMCOG in each of the two groups. Depression was more prevalent in the dependent than in the nondependent older adults (82.85 vs. 57.14%). No association was observed between institutionalization time and the score obtained on the cognitive and affective scales (GDS and CAMCOG) in both groups (GDS-nondependent, r = -0.209, p = 0.234; CAMCOG-nondependent, r = 0.007, p = 0.967; GDS-dependent, r = 0.251, p = 0.152; CAMCOG-dependent, r = -0.021, p = 0.907). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptomatology is associated with cognitive deterioration. Depression is prevalent in institutions that care for older, more dependent adults.

The Relationship Between Depression and Cognitive Deterioration in Elderly Persons / A Relação Entre Depressão e Comprometimento Cognitivo em Idosos Institucionalizados / La Relación Entre Depresión y Deterioro Cognitivo en Personas Mayores Institucionalizadas en Residencias Españolas

Abstract The objective of this research is to describe the relationship between depressive disorder and cognitive deterioration in residentialized elderly people. This is a descriptive and correlational study with 70 elderly. The variables have been assessed with a Psychosocial Variables Questionnaire, CAMCOG and GDS. Depression was significantly correlated with cognitive level in the non-assisted elderly sample (r=0.471, p=0.004). Participants' age is negatively associated with the score obtained in the CAMCOG of non-assisted sample (r=-0.352, p=0.038). Depression is more frequent in institutions that care for older people when they are more dependent.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar a relação entre transtorno depressivo e comprometimento cognitivo na população idosa institucionalizada. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e correlacional com 70 idosos espanhóis. Para a medição das variáveis, foi utilizado um Questionário de Variáveis Psicossociais, o CAMCOG do CAMDEX e GDS. A depressão se correlaciona significativamente com o nível cognitivo na maioria dos adultos não dependentes (r=−0,471; p=0.004). A idade está significativamente associada e inversamente para a pontuação obtido no CAMCOG na faixa dependente (r=−0,352; p=−0,038). A depressão está ligada às instituições que atendem prefeitos quando são muito dependentes.

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar la relación entre el trastorno depresivo y el deterioro cognitivo en una población mayor institucionalizada. Se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo y correlacional con 70 mayores españoles. Para la medida de las variables se ha usado un Cuestionario de Variables Psicosociales propio, el CAMCOG del CAMDEX y la GDS. La depresión se correlaciona significativamente con el nivel cognitivo en la muestra de mayores no dependientes (r=−0.471; p=0.004). La edad se asocia elocuentemente y de forma inversa con la puntuación obtenida en el CAMCOG en la muestra de dependientes (r=−0.352; p=−0.038). La depresión está vinculada a las instituciones que atienden a mayores cuando éstos son más dependientes.