Heterogeneity in depression symptoms and health status among older adults

We assessed whether distinct classes of depression symptoms could be identified. In addition, we determined how these classes differed in terms of health status.

Data were analyzed with latent profile analysis. MANOVA tests were used to compare the health status of the various classes.

A four-class model had the best fit. Classes were labeled according to participants' responses to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) items and their overall score: low depression symptoms, high depression symptoms, subthreshold with anhedonia, and subthreshold with anhedonia and negative interpersonal feelings. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that health status differed across classes.

The results provide support for the idea that there is heterogeneity in the presentation of depression symptoms among older adults. These data showed that about a third of our sample of older adults reported increased levels of anhedonia and that negative interpersonal feelings were uncommon.