Führt eine Zunahme depressiver Symptome zu einer Zunahme funktioneller Einschränkungen oder vice versa? Ergebnisse der AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe-Studie

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the link between depressive symptoms and functional impairment among the oldest old longitudinally.

METHODS: Longitudinal data (n = 1,272) were taken from a multicenter prospective cohort study ("Study on Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+)" [AgeQualiDe]). Functional decline was assessed using the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: While initial increases in depressive symptoms were associated with subsequent increases in functional impairment, initial increases in functional impairment were not associated with subsequent increases in depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results stress the relevance of increases in depressive symptoms for upcoming functional decline among the oldest old. Further longitudinal studies are required to replicate our findings.