[Relationship of physical condition and functional capacity to depressive status in person aged 75 years]

The purpose of the present study is to examine cross-sectionally and longitudinally the relationship of physical conditions and functional capacity to depressive status in the elderly. Subjects comprised 308 men and women aged 75 years and over living at home in a rural community. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was employed to assess depressive status, and physical conditions and functional capacity were simultaneously investigated. The results obtained were as follows; 1. There was no significant difference in GDS score by age or sex. 2. Cross-sectionally, the depressive status was significantly associated with weakened grip strength and poor locomotion in men, and it was associated with experience of falls, poor chewing ability, and low levels in high functional capacity as measured by the TMIG Index of Competence. 3. Longitudinally over a 2 year period, bereavement, decline of locomotion, and persistent anxiety about physical conditions significantly influenced aggravation of the depressive status in men. In women, high systolic blood pressure and visual and/or hearing impairment influenced the aggravation. Decline in functional capacity as measured by the TMIG Index of Competence appeared to influence the aggravation in both men and women.