Poor mobility and lower limb weakness are associated with three distinct depressive symptom trajectories over 6 years...

Physical decline can be associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in later life. This study aimed to identify physical and lifestyle risk factors for depressive symptom trajectories in community-dwelling older adults.

Participants were 553 people aged 70-90 years who underwent baseline physical, psychological and lifestyle assessments. Group-based trajectory analysis was used to identify patterns of depressive symptom development over 6 years of follow-up. Strengths of associations between baseline functional test performances and depressive symptom trajectories were evaluated with univariable ordinal models. Subsequently, the adjusted cumulative odds ratio for the association between identified risk factors, demographic factors and baseline anti-depressant use were measured using multivariable ordinal logistic regression.

Three distinct depressive symptom trajectories were identified: a low-and-stable course (10% of participants), a low-and-increasing course (81%) and a moderate-and-increasing course (9%). Timed Up and Go test time was the strongest risk factor of depressive symptom trajectory, followed by Five Times Sit-to-Stand test performance, planned physical activity levels, and knee extension strength (adjusted standardised ORs 1.65, 95% CI 1.34-2.04; 1.44, 95% CI 1.16-1.77; 1.44, 95% CI 1.17-1.76 and 1.41, 95% CI 1.15-1.73 respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and baseline anti-depressant use, Timed Up and Go test performance and knee extension strength were independently and significantly associated with depressive trajectories.

Timed Up and Go test times, Five Times Sit-to-Stand test performance, planned physical activity levels and knee extension strength are associated with three discrete depressive symptom trajectories. These clinical tests may help identify older adults aged 70-90 years at risk of developing depressive symptoms and help guide subsequent strength and mobility interventions.