Remission from depressive symptoms among older adults with mood disorders: findings of a representative community sample

Remission from Depression among Adults with Arthritis: A 12-Year Followup of a Population-Based Study

Individuals with arthritis are vulnerable to depression. In this study, we calculated time to remission from depression in a representative community-based sample of depressed Canadians with arthritis who were followed for 12 years. We conducted secondary analysis of a longitudinal panel study, the National Population Health Survey, which was begun in 1994/95 and has included biennial assessment of depression since that time. Our analysis focused on a total of 216 respondents with arthritis who were depressed at baseline. The mean time to remission from depression was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier procedure and compared across categories of each of the potential predictors. The percentage of those no longer screening positive for depression was calculated at two years after baseline. At two years after baseline, 71% of the sample had achieved remission from depression. Time to remission was significantly longer for those depressed adults who were under the age of 55, those who reported more chronic pain at baseline, those with comorbid migraine, and those who experienced childhood physical abuse or parental addictions. These findings highlight the importance of screening for these factors to improve the targeting of interventions to depressed patients with arthritis.

Physical activity and depressive symptoms in older adults

OBJECTIVES

Depressive symptoms are prevalent in older adults, and physical activity (PA) may have beneficial effects on depression. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms, taking into account demographic factors, and the associations between selected demographic factors and physical activity levels in community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 60 years).

METHODS

Data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Descriptive statistics and logistic models were used in data analysis.

RESULTS

Four percent of participants reported moderate depressive symptoms, and 24% of subjects exhibited sedentary PA. Factors associated with increased risk of moderate depression included age, sedentary PA, and chronic medical conditions (ps < 0.05). Sedentary PA was significantly associated with age, race, education, BMI, smoking status, alcohol use, and taking psychotropics (ps < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

PA is a protective factor for depression in older adults, and clinical implications to encourage PA are discussed.