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Association of late-life depression with cognitive impairment: evidence from a cross-sectional study among older adults in India
Muhammad T, Meher T.. BMC geriatrics, 2021-06-15
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Late-life depression (LLD) is considered as a prodrome to dementia and plays a major role in the development of long-term cognitive disabilities. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of LLD and cognitive impairment and to explore their associations among older adults in India. Methods Data for this study was derived from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 (2017-18). The total sample included 31,464 (15,098 male and 16,366 female) older individuals aged 60 years and above. Cognitive impairment measured from various domains derived from the cognitive module of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and major depression measured by the CIDI-SF (Composite International Diagnostic Interview- Short Form) were the outcome variables. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed to fulfill the objectives of the study. Results The overall prevalence of LLD and cognitive impairment for the current sample was 8.7% and 13.7 % respectively. Among older individuals who have rated their health status as poor were 2.59 times more likely to suffer from LLD [OR: 2.59, CI: 2.24-2.99] as compared to their counterparts. The older adults who had difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were 74% and 69 % more likely to suffer from LLD. Similarly, older adults who were depressed had higher odds of cognitive impairment [OR: 1.22, CI: 1.01-1.48] compared to their counterparts. Also, older adults who were depressed and belonged to rural areas were 2.58 times [AOR: 2.58, CI: 1.95-3.41] more likely to be cognitively impaired than those who were not depressed and resided in urban areas. Conclusions Depression is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia; therefore, failing to diagnose and treat LLD in later life may have significant health implications. Moreover, treatment under the care of a cognitive neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist is recommended for people with LLD and cognitive disability due to both the disorders' complex existence.
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APA 7th
Muhammad, T., & Meher, T. (2021). Association of late-life depression with cognitive impairment: evidence from a cross-sectional study among older adults in India. BMC geriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02314-7
Vancouver
Muhammad T, Meher T. Association of late-life depression with cognitive impairment: evidence from a cross-sectional study among older adults in India. BMC geriatrics. 2021. doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02314-7. PMID: 34130632.
BibTeX
@article{muhammad2021-34130632,
author = {Muhammad, T. and Meher, T.},
title = {{Association of late-life depression with cognitive impairment: evidence from a cross-sectional study among older adults in India}},
journal = {BMC geriatrics},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.1186/s12877-021-02314-7},
pmid = {34130632},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02314-7}
}
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Key findings
- Results The overall prevalence of LLD and cognitive impairment for the current sample was 8.7% and 13.7 % respectively.
- Among older individuals who have rated their health status as poor were 2.59 times more likely to suffer from LLD [OR: 2.59, CI: 2.24-2.99] as compared to their counterparts.
- Similarly, older adults who were depressed had higher odds of cognitive impairment [OR: 1.22, CI: 1.01-1.48] compared to their counterparts.
- Conclusions Depression is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia; therefore, failing to diagnose and treat LLD in later life may have significant health implications.
Why it matters
This cross-sectional study in India found that older adults who were depressed had higher odds of cognitive impairment. It is observational and does not test any treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Participants31,464
- Effect size8.7%; OR: 2.59; OR: 1.22
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 63/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (BMC geriatrics) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | BMC Geriatrics: journal h-index 153 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2021 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 4 / 4 | 31,464 participants |
| Effect reported | 3 / 3 | Effect reported with a statistic (interval, p-value, ratio or similar) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 175 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 25.0 citations a year over 7 year(s) since 2021 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 17.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 93 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Trupti Meher: h-index 14 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | International Institute for Population Sciences: institution h-index 145 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 34130632) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 63 / 100 | — |
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