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Association Between Physical Performance and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional
Yun Wang1, Yi-Wen Chen1, Ming-Zhao Qin1
1Department of Geriatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
To explore the relationship between physical function and depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults, and to determine whether poorer physical function is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms.
Patients And Methods:
This retrospective analysis included data from the comprehensive geriatric assessments of 491 patients aged ≥65 years who visited the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic or were hospitalized at the Geriatric Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital between November 2021 and December 2023. After excluding cases with incomplete data, 443 participants were included in the final analysis. Physical function was assessed using grip strength, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), 4-meter walk speed, the five-time sit-to-stand test, the three-posture test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Correlations between physical function and depressive and anxiety symptoms were analyzed, and factors associated with depressive symptoms were examined.
Results:
The prevalence of depressive and anxiety states was 15.6% and 12.0%, respectively. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly lower SPPB scores compared with those without (5.83 ± 2.70 vs 8.68 ± 2.14, P < 0.05). SPPB scores were moderately negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = -0.404, P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that higher SPPB scores were associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.557, 95% CI: 0.411-0.754), whereas longer TUGT time (OR = 1.123, 95% CI: 1.018-1.238) and higher anxiety scores (OR = 1.273, 95% CI: 1.185-1.368) were associated with higher odds. ROC analysis showed that SPPB score was associated with depressive symptoms (AUC = 0.859), with sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.67 at the optimal cutoff of 8.5. TUGT and anxiety scores also showed associations with depressive symptoms (AUC = 0.844 and 0.891, respectively; both P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Declining physical function was associated with depressive symptoms among older adults. Within comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA), routine SPPB evaluation alongside depressive symptom monitoring may help identify vulnerable older individuals and maintain intrinsic capacity.
