[Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive Symptoms in Middle and Senior Aged Populations with Visual Impairment]

To determine the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms in visually impaired mid- and old-aged populations.

Data were extracted from the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database. A total of 1 462 mid- and old-aged respondents reported visual problems. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

The study participants had an average age of (65±10) years. About 45.6% reported depression symptoms,with an average CES-D score of 10±7. The respondents aged between 55 and 64 years [odds ratio (OR)=1.679)],women (OR=1.310),and those who had shorter sleeping (OR=1.570) were more likely to have depressive symptoms than others ( P<0.05). Lower prevalence of depressive symptoms ( P<0.05) was found in the respondents who resided in urban areas (OR=0.480),had no chronic disease (OR=0.534),had no other disabilities (OR=0.570),perceived better general health (OR=0.324),reported better memory (OR=0.380),and expressed better life satisfaction (OR=0.126).

Visually impaired mid- and old-aged people have high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Age,gender,residency,chronic conditions,self-rated general health,other disabilities,sleeping deprivation,memory,and life satisfaction are determinants of the prevalence of depressive symptoms.