Depression has a positive correlation with frailty among community-dwelling middle-age and elderly women

This study aimed to explore the relationship between depression and frailty in middle-aged and older people living in the community, with attention to gender differences.

We designed a cross-sectional study that involved people who lived in the communities of Taoyuan Guishan district. Participants with severe cardiovascular disease or joint impairment who could not complete the physical fitness evaluation were excluded.

In our study, 12 % of the total eligible patients suffered from depression. Of the eligible patients, 28.5 % were in the frailty and pre-frailty groups. When separating eligible participants by depression status and gender, significant differences in frailty condition and nutrition status were noted. Regardless of gender, people with exercise habits had a lower prevalence of depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated an independent association between depression and frailty status in women.

The conclusion is depression was directly associated with frailty status in middle-aged and elderly people, particularly in women.