The association between single and multiple chronic conditions and depression among older population in India: A comparative study between men and women

Association of social gatherings and physical exercise with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Strict social isolation and physical distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant implications for the psychological well-being of middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with depressive symptoms during the pandemic period among individuals who reported no significant depressive symptoms before the pandemic. Individuals from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging without a previous report of significant depressive symptoms across Waves 6 (2016) and 7 (2018) were investigated for the development of depressive symptoms in Wave 8 (2020). The multivariable logistic regression results revealed that both men and women who participated in social gatherings and physical exercise less than once a week were associated with an increase in the likelihood of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80-4.61 and OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.64-4.15, respectively for men and OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.80-3.70 and OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.02-2.23, respectively for women). In addition, unmarried men (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.37-4.14) and women with one chronic disease (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.14-3.43) or two or more chronic diseases (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.31-3.99) reported a significant increase in the likelihood of depressive symptoms. Regular social gatherings and physical exercise were identified as key factors in mitigating depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. The findings can inform the development of public health strategies that promote regular social interactions and physical activity to enhance the psychological resilience and overall well-being of middle-aged and older adults in the endemic era.

Lifestyle factors, physical health, and life satisfaction under different changes in depressive symptoms among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: A longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

The study aims to investigate the long-term impact of lifestyle-related factors and physical health on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the analytic sample of this study included 1,068 older adults who had participated in the surveys in both 2011 and 2018. Multivariate regression was employed to analyze both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between lifestyle-related factors, physical health, and subjective well-being - specifically depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Additionally, the model tested how these factors correlate with life satisfaction across different groups of depressive symptom changes among older adults, categorized as not at risk of depression, intermittent depression, and chronic depression.

RESULTS

Multimorbidity was significantly related to baseline and follow-up depressive risk in older adults. Shorter sleep duration was associated with baseline depression risk. Current alcohol drinkers reported significantly more severe depressive symptoms than non-drinkers. At baseline, current smokers were more likely to have a lower degree of life satisfaction than nonsmokers. Among older adults with chronic depression at the 7-year follow-up, former smokers tended to have lower life satisfaction than nonsmokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identified drinking alcohol and having a shorter sleep duration as modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors for late-life depression and smoking as a detrimental factor for life satisfaction in older Chinese adults. Multimorbidity was a significant predictor of more depressive symptoms. Our findings have implications for future psychosocial interventions that target the alleviation of depressive symptoms and the promotion of life satisfaction in older Chinese people based on their different long-term mental and physical health conditions.

Association Between Multimorbidity and Presence of Diagnosed Vision Problems Among the Middle-Aged and Older Population in India

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of diagnosed vision problems and to examine the association of single and multiple chronic conditions with vision problems among middle-aged and older adults in India.

METHODS

The study utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, (2017-18). Descriptive statistics along with bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to achieve the study objectives.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diagnosed vision problems in the sampled population was 48.2%. The older adults (60+ years) (55.3%) had shown a greater prevalence of vision problems than the middle-aged individuals (41%). Among chronic conditions, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, chronic heart diseases, bone related diseases, psychiatric disorders, and high cholesterol were significantly associated with vision problems in the case of both middle-aged and older adults. Furthermore, odds of experiencing vision problems according to the presence of multimorbidity were higher in the middle-aged population [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.986; confidence interval (CI):1.855-2.126] than in the older population [AOR = 1.746; CI:1.644-1.854].

CONCLUSIONS

Middle-aged and older adults with chronic illnesses and multimorbidity were at greater risk of vision problems. Due to the high prevalence of vision problem, interventions aimed at prevention or early detection are warranted.

Depressive symptoms of older adults with chronic diseases: the mediating roles of activities of daily living and economic burden of diseases

Objective

To explore the mediating roles of activities of daily living (ADL) and economic burden of diseases in the relationship between chronic diseases and depressive symptoms of older adults.

Methods

The data were sourced from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The number of chronic diseases, ADL, out-of-pocket medical expenses and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were selected as measuring indexes. Mediation analysis was conducted to explore the potential mediating roles of ADL and economic burden of diseases in the association between chronic diseases and depressive symptoms.

Results

The number of chronic diseases, ADL, economic burden of diseases and depressive symptoms of older adults were significantly correlated with each other. ADL and economic burden of diseases individually mediated the relationship between the number of chronic diseases and depressive symptoms, accounting for 31.460% and 5.471% of the total effect, respectively. Additionally, ADL and economic burden of diseases demonstrated a chain mediating effect in this relationship, contributing to 0.759% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The chain-mediated model effectively elucidated the mediating roles of ADL and economic burden of diseases in the association between chronic diseases and depressive symptoms among older adults. The study underscores the need for policymakers to focus attentively on the mental health of older adults with chronic diseases. Enhancing the capacity for ADL and strengthening social security to mitigate the economic burden of diseases are recommended strategies to alleviate depressive symptoms in older adults.

Interaction between depressive symptoms and obesity-related anthropometric measures on multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults: evidence from India

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the associations between depressive symptoms, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults. We also examine the interaction effects between depressive symptoms, BMI, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio on multimorbidity among older adults in India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted, and the data were obtained from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave-1, with a sample of 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above (men-15,098 and women-16,366). We used multinomial logistic regression to explore the independent associations between depressive symptoms, obesity-measures, and single and multimorbidity. We also estimated the interaction effects of depressive symptoms and obesity-measures on multimorbidity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of multimorbidity was higher among individuals with depressive symptoms (39.22%) than individuals with no depressive symptoms (29.94%). Adjusted models indicated that older adults with depressive symptoms had higher odds of single and multimorbidity [(AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17-1.68) and (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.58-2.16), respectively]. Similarly, in comparison to the normal BMI category, overweight and obese older adults were more likely to report single morbidity [(AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.37-1.92 and (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.67-2.75), respectively] and multimorbidity [(AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.72-2.33) and (AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 2.94-4.82), respectively].

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that the presence of depressive symptoms, overweight or obesity, and high-risk anthropometric measures such as high-risk waist circumference and high-risk waist to hip ratio significantly increased the risk of morbidity among older adults in India. Thus, it is suggested to adopt an integrated public health policy approach to control depressive symptoms and high-risk body composition to strategically prepare against the elevated risk of multimorbidity among ageing populations.

Decomposing the rural-urban differences in depression among multimorbid older patients in India: evidence from a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

In India, the prevalence of depression among older adults dealing with multiple health conditions varies between rural and urban areas due to disparities in healthcare access and cultural factors. The distinct patterns observed underscore the necessity for tailored research and interventions to address mental health inequalities among multimorbid older patients in diverse geographic contexts.

METHODS

This study used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave 1 (2017-18). A total of 7,608 adults aged ≥ 60 years who were diagnosed with two or more chronic conditions (such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, chronic heart diseases, stroke, bone/joint disease, any neurological or psychiatric diseases, and high cholesterol) were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, logistic regression estimates, and Fairlie decomposition method were used to accomplish the study's objectives.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression among older adults with multimorbidity was 9.48% higher in rural areas (38.33%) than in urban areas (28.85%).. Older adults with multimorbidity belonging to the scheduled caste group were 40% more likely to experience depression. Moreover, those with multimorbidity and any form of disability in activities of daily living (ADL) were 93% more likely to experience depression than those without disability, whereas those with multimorbidity and perceived good general health were 65% less likely to suffer from depression than those with poor self-perceived health. Additionally, decomposition analysis revealed that education (35.99%), caste status (10.30%), IADL disability (19.30%), and perceived discrimination (24.25%) were the primary factors contributing to the differences in depression prevalence among older adults with multimorbidity between rural and urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

We found significant rural-urban differences in depression among older Indians with multimorbidity. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by older patients in rural areas, including lack of social capital, discrimination, and limited resources that enable access to healthcare services. Policymakers and healthcare professionals must collaboratively design and implement effective strategies to improve the mental health and overall well-being of rural older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities.

Explaining the Urban-Rural Difference in Late-Life Depression in India: Evidence from a Multivariate Decomposition Analysis Based on Longitudinal Aging Study in India, Wave 2017-18

OBJECTIVES

The study explored the associated factors of depression among older Indian adults and the influences of individual and socio-environmental factors in explaining the rural-urban difference in the prevalence of late-life depression.

METHODS

Data come from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, with a sample of 30,637 older adults aged 60 and above. Multivariable logistic regression and nonlinear multivariate decomposition analyses were conducted to fulfill the objectives.

RESULTS

About 6.2% older adults in urban areas and 9.5% in rural areas were depressed. Older adults in rural areas had significantly higher likelihood to be depressed than those in urban areas. Poor self-rated health, multiple chronic conditions, functional difficulty, low life satisfaction, social inactivity, low satisfaction with living arrangement, ill-treatment and being widowed increased the risk of depression. Additionally, work status similar to urban older adults, physical activity, living arrangement satisfaction, self-rated health and ill-treatment would decrease the urban-rural difference in depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed significant rural-urban difference in late-life depression, with a rural disadvantage.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The findings suggest the need for identifying at-risk populations and developing a framework of targeted policy interventions for mitigating the increased risk of late-life depression among older Indians and in rural areas in particular.

Depression by gender and associated factors among older adults in India: implications for age-friendly policies

Inspite of implementing policies to control mental health problems, depression remains a severe health concern among older adults in India. We examined self-reported differences in the depression among older men and women in India and examined associated factors for gender differences in depression at the population level. We utilized nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) wave I, for years 2017-2019. Our analytical sample comprised of 30,637 older adults ages 60 years and above (14,682 men and 15,655 women). We conducted descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests followed by binary logistic regression and multivariate decomposition analyses to examine our study objectives. Depression was reported in - 7.4% (95% CI 7.0, 7.8) of older men and 9.5% (CI 9.1, 10.0) of older women. Poor self-rated health, multimorbidity status, physical activity, difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) were the significant health-related factors associated with depression among older men and women. Not being satisfied with one's life, not being satisfied with their present living arrangement, receiving any type of ill-treatment, and being widowed were the significant factors associated with depression among older men and women. We found gender disparity in self-reported depression. Marital status contributed-to 36.7% of the gender gap in depression among older adults. Additionally, ADL and IADL difficulties among men and women contributed to 17.6% and 34.0%, gender gap, self-rated health contributed to 18.8% gap, whereas not having equal social participation (4.4%) and not satisfied in present living arrangements (8.1%) were other factors that contributed to gender gap for depression in India. Depression is a critical and persistent public health problem among-older females in India. Our findings provide a broader framework for policymakers and health practitioners to focus on gender-specific strategies to mitigate this highly emergent problem.

Prevalence of early and late onset of chronic diseases and multimorbidity and its association with physical, mental and functional health among older Indian adults

BACKGROUND

Identifying people with early and late onset of chronic conditions might help target the subpopulations that are more vulnerable to negative mental, physical and functional health outcomes. The current study aimed to examine the association of early and late onset of chronic single and multiple morbidities with self-perceived physical and mental health, functional limitations and physical inactivity among older Indian adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 (2017-2018). The total sample size for the present study was 31,386 older adults age 60 years or older. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to establish the association between the outcomes (poor perceived physical/mental health, functional difficulty and physical inactivity) and explanatory variables (early [ = < 50 years of age] and late [> 50 years]) onset of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, cancer, lung disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and psychiatric disease).

RESULTS

Overall, 24.21% of the sample population had poor self-perceived physical health, whereas 8.67% of participants had poor self-perceived mental health. The prevalence of difficulty in ADL, difficulty in IADL, and physical inactivity was 23.77%, 48.36%, and 68.9%, respectively. Odds of poor perceived mental health were higher for the respondents with early as well as late onset of hypertension, stroke, and arthritis; while individuals with late onset of diabetes, and heart disease had higher odds of poor perceived mental health than those without chronic disease. Individuals with early onset of single morbidity were more likely to report ADL difficulty (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.33, confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.67); while those with late onset of single (AOR: 1.34, CI: 1.17-1.53) and multimorbidity (AOR: 1.91, CI: 1.63-2.24) were more likely to report ADL difficulty compared with individuals without morbidity. Individuals with early as well as late-onset of multimorbidity had more than two times higher odds of reporting poor physical health, poor mental health and IADL difficulty compared with individuals without chronic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that early and/or late onset of chronic single and/or multiple morbidities significantly predicted poor self-perceived physical and mental health, functional limitations and physical inactivity among older Indian adults. The findings further suggest that late onset of chronic diseases such as cancer and stroke and multi-morbidity had stronger associations with physical inactivity that may help identify high risk groups for screening and support.

Health and disability status among middle-aged and older adult cancer survivors: a case-control study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the presence of a cancer history constitutes a risk for encountering unfavourable health outcomes and functional limitations. Moreover, the study also aims to identify specific attributes of cancer survivors that are associated with an increased risk of experiencing poor health and disability.

METHODS

This study has utilized data from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-18. The analytical sample size for this study was 65,562 older individuals of age 45 years and above. We have focused on individuals diagnosed with cancer, i.e., cancer survivors, and compared their health outcomes to those of a similar group (without a cancer history) with similar socioeconomic and demographic features. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to assess the adjusted effect of explanatory variables on cancer survivors.

RESULTS

The result shows that the overall number of cancer survivors is 673 per 100.000 older adults and is higher in Urban areas (874 per 100.000) than in rural areas (535 per 100.000). 43.7% of the survivors reported poor self-rated health, and around 34.0% of cancer survivors reported depression, while this prevalence was much lower among older adults without a cancer history. Individuals who were diagnosed with cancer a long time ago have a significantly lower likelihood of experiencing poor SRH, depression, and diminished life satisfaction in comparison to those diagnosed more recently.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the importance of factors such as time since diagnosis and the number of cancer sites in influencing health outcomes among survivors. Additionally, socioeconomic factors, such as wealth and access to health insurance, appear to play a role in the health status of cancer survivors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Healthcare policies should recognize the long-term impact of cancer and prioritize the provision of long-term survivorship care. This may involve establishing survivorship clinics or dedicated healthcare centres that provide specialized care for cancer survivors, addressing their unique needs throughout the survivorship continuum.

Life course rural/urban place of residence, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment among older adults: findings from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India

BACKGROUND

Given the unique socioeconomic structures, and the rural/urban differentials in the prevalence of mental illnesses in the country, this study aimed to explore the associations of childhood, adulthood and late-life rural/urban place of residence with mental health outcomes, namely depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment, among older adults in India. The study also examined the relationship between older individuals' life-course rural/urban place of residence and late-life mental and cognitive health.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (n = 28,027 older adults age 60 years and above), the study employed multivariable logistic and linear regression models to examine the association between urban/rural residential status, life-course residence, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment among older adults.

RESULTS

Childhood and adulthood place of residence was not associated with depressive symptoms in older men and women. Current rural place of residence was positively associated with depressive symptoms in older women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.37, confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.80] but not men. Childhood [aOR: 1.88, CI: 1.16-3.04], adulthood [aOR: 2.00, CI: 1.26-3.16] and current rural residence [aOR: 1.93, CI: 1.27-2.91] was positively associated with cognitive impairment in men. Only current rural residence [aOR: 1.71, CI: 1.29-2.27] was associated with cognitive impairment in women. There was no significant association between life-course place of residence and depressive symptoms except in case of lifetime rural residence Respondents with urban-urban-urban (childhood-adulthood-current) place of residence were less likely to have depressive symptoms [adjusted coefficient (aCoef.): -0.14, CI: -0.21- -0.07] compared to those with rural-rural-rural place of residence. There were significant associations between life-course residence and cognitive impairment except among rural-urban-rural and urban-rural-rural migrants, showing an urban advantage in cognitive function among older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed significant associations between life-course residence and depressive symptoms among permanent rural/urban residents. The study also showed significant associations between life-course residence and cognitive impairment except among rural-urban-rural and urban-rural-rural migrants. Considering the rural disadvantage in mental and cognitive health among older adults, the government should continue to support policies that can improve access to education and healthcare among people residing in rural areas and women, in particular. The findings also urge social scientists and gerontologists in particular, to consider the importance of lifetime historical context while evaluating mental and cognitive health of older persons.

Prevalence of depression among elderly women in India-An intersectional analysis of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), 2017-2018

Epidemiological transition in India shows a shift in disease burden from youth to the elderly. As Life Expectancy increases, a greater burden is placed on the state, society, and families in India. Mental health disorders are insidious, debilitating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that afflict people, their families, and generations down the line. Globally, depression is the leading cause of mental health-related disability. It is estimated that mental illness contributes to 4.7% of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in India. It is predicted that by 2026, the elderly's sex ratio will increase to 1,060 feminizing ageing. Research has shown that elderly women in developed countries like the United States are more prone to depression. Chronic morbidities are more common in women than in men, and they may suffer from poor vision, depression, impaired physical performance, and elder abuse. Mostly widowed, economically dependent, lacking proper food and clothing, fearing the future, and lacking proper care, they have difficulty coping with these health problems. There are surprisingly few studies on elderly female depression. Therefore, we want to hypothesize the prevalence of depression among women in different regions and demographic groups in India, and what factors may contribute to these differences. Using intersectional analysis with the data from Wave 1 (2017-2018) of the (Longitudinal Ageing Study in India) LASI (N = 16,737) we were able to explore the intersecting patterns between different variables and how people are positioned simultaneously and position themselves in different multiple categories based on the type of place of residence, age and level of education. Through the study we further aim to determine the prevalence of depression among elderly female in the age group of 60 in different states using the Chloropleth map. The findings of the study highlight the significance of the place of residence in the development of depression among elderly women, with the rural area being associated with a higher prevalence of depression compared to urban area. When compared to people with higher literacy, those with low literacy were significantly associated with depression. State-wise, there is a huge difference between the prevalence of elderly women depression in rural and urban areas. The study highlights the vulnerability of elderly women to depression. It is possible for the government to develop programs that address the needs of elderly women, both in urban and rural areas, to reduce depression. Multi-factor approaches to mental health, which consider age, literacy, and location, are essential. Programs targeting specific populations can be developed to address depression's root causes..

Association Between Multiple Chronic Conditions and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China: Evidence From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and depressive symptoms among older adults in China. Methods: We used the fourth round of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, and included 9789 older adults aged 60 years old and above. Results: Compared with the older adults without chronic disease, older adults with MCCs and those with one chronic disease had a high risk of depression (MCCs: OR_-adjusted: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.75; one chronic disease: OR_-adjusted: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.37). In urban areas, the prevalence among older adults with MCCs was 2.01 times higher than that among older adults without chronic disease (OR_-adjusted: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.56-2.60), while it was 1.44 times higher in rural areas (OR_-adjusted:1.44, 95% CI: 1.25-1.65). Self-reported health, duration of sleep, social activities, and type of medical insurance were the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in older adults. Conclusion: This study contributed to enriching the research on the relationship between MCCs and depressive symptoms in older adults in China.

Association of back pain with major depressive disorder among older adults in six low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and decreased quality of life. In this study, we examined the association between back pain and major depressive disorder (MDD) in six low- and middle-income countries. We also examined the association of back pain duration and severity with MDD among middle-aged and older adults in these countries.

METHODS

Nationally representative data from the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO-SAGE) consisting of 33,878 middle-aged and older adults aged 50 years or above were analysed. The linkages of back pain, pain duration and severity with MDD were examined using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Across six countries, the prevalence of MDD was higher among middle-aged and older adults who reported back pain than those who did not report back pain (14.5 % vs 4.5 %). In the pooled data, middle-aged and older adults who suffered from back pain had higher odds of depression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.41, confidence interval (CI): 2.19-2.64] compared to those with no back pain. Particularly, the association was stronger in Ghana [aOR: 4.78] and South Africa [aOR: 2.42]. Further, the association was stronger for those who experienced back pain for >2 weeks as well as those who reported severe and extreme back pain than those with no back pain across all the countries.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the association of back pain and its duration and severity with MDD is consistent and significant among middle-aged and older adults in six countries. Government policies should consider the role of back pain in improving the mental health of middle-aged and older adults.

Relationship between handgrip strength, depression and cognitive functioning among older adults: Evidence from longitudinal ageing study in India

BACKGROUND

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a frequent and general indicator of muscle strength and it may affect several aspects of mental health among older people. This study explored the association of HGS with depression and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in resource-constrained setting of India.

METHOD

Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), and the analysis was conducted on 27,707 older adults aged 60 years and above. Outcome measures included depression (assessed by the Short Form Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-SF) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scales) and cognitive impairment. Descriptive statistics and mean scores of HGS were reported and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to test the research hypotheses of the study.

RESULTS

Mean score of HGS was 24.33 (SD: 7.22) for males and 15.94 (SD: 5.14) for females. Mean age was 68.86 (SD: 7.19) and 68.40 (SD: 7.31) years among males and females respectively. Older participants who had weak HGS were significantly more likely to be depressed in CIDI-SF scale (B: 0.06, CI: 0.01-0.13) and CES-D scale (B: 0.02, CI: 0.01-0.03) in comparison to those who had strong HGS after adjusting for a large number of confounders. Older participants who had weak HGS were significantly more likely (B: 0.92, CI: 0.76-1.07) to have cognitive impairment compared to those who had strong HGS.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the independent association of HGS with major depression, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment that have implications on promoting resistance-training programs among aged population.

Relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning among older Indian adults

In a culturally different and low-resource setting, where lifestyle habits, including dietary pattern and physical activities differ from those in high-income countries, the association between physical activity and cognition is expected to differ. We aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and cognitive functioning after controlling for potential confounders among older adults in India. Furthermore, gender differences in this relationship were analyzed. Using a national-level data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-2018), this paper employed propensity score matching (PSM) approach to examine the association between physical activities and cognitive functioning among Indian older adults. Cognitive impairment was measured through five broad domains (memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming). We limit our sample to older adults aged 60 + years, and our final dataset contains 31,464 participants (men = 16,366, and women = 15,098). The results indicated that older adults who engaged in frequent physical activity have greater cognitive functioning than older adults without physical activity after adjusting for various individual, health, lifestyle, and household factors. This association holds true for both older men and older women. The results from the PSM revealed that the cognitive function score was increased by 0.98 and 1.32 points for the frequently physically active older men and women population, respectively. The results demonstrate the possible beneficial effects of frequent physical activity on cognitive functioning among older adults. Thus, regular physical activity can be considered as an effective lifestyle factor to promote healthy cognitive aging.

Association of elder abuse, crime victimhood and perceived neighbourhood safety with major depression among older adults in India: a cross-sectional study using data from the LASI baseline survey (2017-2018)

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to explore the associations of elder abuse, crime victimhood and perceived safety with depression among older adults and examine the interactive effects of sex and place of residence in those associations.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large survey data.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India wave 1 (2017-2018). The effective sample size was 31 464 older adults (aged 60 years or older).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcome variable was major depression, calculated using Short Form Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to fulfil the objectives.

RESULTS

5.22% of the older adults (n=1587) experienced abuse in the past 1 year. 1.33% of the older individuals (n=402) were victims of a violent crime, and 14.30% (n=1886) perceived an unsafe neighbourhood. Also, 8.67% of the older adults (n=2657) were suffering from depression. Older adults who were abused had 2.5 odds of suffering from depression (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.47, CI: 1.96 to 3.10) and victims of a violent crime were 84% more likely to be depressed (AOR: 1.84, CI: 1.15 to 2.95) compared with their counterparts. Besides, older individuals who perceived as living in unsafe neighbourhood were 61% more likely to be depressed (AOR: 1.61, CI: 1.34 to 1.93) compared with their counterparts. In the interaction analysis, older women who reported abuse had higher odds of suffering from depression (AOR: 3.27; CI: 2.34 to 4.57) compared with older men who were not abused. Similar result was found in older adults reporting abuse and residing in rural areas (AOR: 3.01, CI: 2.22 to 4.07) compared with those urban residents reporting no abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare providers should pay more attention to the mental health implications of elder abuse, crime victimhood and perceived safety to grasp the underlying dynamics of the symptomology of late-life depression.

Number of chronic conditions and associated functional limitations among older adults: cross-sectional findings from the longitudinal aging study in India

Background

Chronic conditions reduce the likelihood of physical functioning among older adults. However, the contribution of most prevalent diseases and multimorbidity to different measures of functional limitations is relatively underexplored among Indian older adults. The present study explores the prospective association between number of chronic conditions and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) among older adults in India.

Methods

This study utilized data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-2017-18). The effective sample size was 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics along with cross-tabulation were presented in the study. Additionally, binary logistic regression analysis was used to fulfil the objectives. The outcome variables were dichotomized; high representing no difficulty in ADL/IADL and low representing a difficulty in at least one ADL/IADL. The chronic conditions included hypertension, diabetes, neurological/psychiatric disease, lung disease, heart diseases, stroke, and bone-related disease. The number of chronic diseases was categorized into no disease, single, two and three plus based on number of reported disease.

Results

26.36% of older women and 20.87% of older men had low ADL and the figures for low IADL were 56.86 and 38.84% for older men and women respectively. The likelihood of low ADL (AOR: 1.698, CI:1.544, 1.868) and low IADL (AOR: 1.197; CI: 1.064, 1.346) was higher among womenthan men. With increasing age, the prevalence of low ADL increased among older adults. Respondents with pre-existing chronic conditions had higher likelihood of low ADL and IADL. Older adults with hypertension, psychiatric disease, heart disease, stroke and bone-related disease had significantly higher odds of reporting low IADL. The chances of low ADL and IADL were 2.156 (CI: 1.709, 2.719) and 2.892 (CI: 2.067, 4.047) times respectively higher among older adults with more than three chronic conditions. After controlling for socio-economic and health-related covariates, it was found that men with more than three pre-existing chronic conditions had higher odds of low ADL than women. On the other hand, low IADL were found higher among women with more than three pre-existing chronic conditions.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates a significant burden of functional limitations among older individuals and that there is a strong association between pre-existing chronic conditions and functional disability. Those with hypertension, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, heart disease, stroke, lung disease or bone-related diseases should be effectively monitored to predict future functional limitations, which may lead to worsening health.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02620-0.