Previous stroke but not vascular risk factors are associated with depression in a cognitively impaired older Korean...

Depression is frequently associated with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Cerebrovascular disease may be an important aetiological factor for depression in the context of cognitive impairment but has received little investigation in population-based research.

To investigate the association between vascular disease/risk and depression in an older Korean population with cognitive impairment.

The sample consisted of 341 persons, drawn from a community study in Kwangju, South Korea, all aged 65 or over and with scores of 24 or below on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Depression (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression), vascular disease/risk (interview, examination and blood tests), and disablement were ascertained.

Previous stroke was associated with depression (Odds Ratio 3.4, 95% Confidence Intervals 1.6-7.4). This association was weaker in the presence of more severe cognitive impairment and higher levels of dependency. No associations were found between depression and any other measures of vascular risk.

In the absence of previous stroke, a role of vascular disease/risk was not supported in the aetiology late-life depression.