engleski

Cognitive Function and Depression in Elderly People

Recent studies confirmed the association between depression and cognitive decline in old age, but the nature of this association is still not very clear. The aims of this study were to investigate the possible association between depression and cognitive function in old institutionalized people and to determine moderating psychosocial factors in this association. Subjects were 561 residents of 11 older people’s homes in Zagreb, Croatia, 160 (28.5%) men and 401 (71.5%) women, aged 56-96 years (average 79 years), ambulatory and not diagnosed with dementia. Clifton Cognitive Function Scale, and scales of depression, self-perceived health, social participation and functional ability were administered. Subjects’ education and objective health status were controlled for. Data analyses confirmed that depression and cognitive function in old age are associated, but this association changes in the presence of different moderating variables, which can simultaneously affect both cognitive function and depression, but to a different degree and direction.

cognitive function; depression; old people

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