Depressive Symptoms Linked With Sarcopenia, Malnutrition in Older Adults

Depressive symptoms in older adults are independently associated with sarcopenia and malnutrition, according to study findings published in Psychogeriatrics.

“Depression is one of the most common mental disorders among older adults, and depressive symptoms are strongly associated with adverse health outcomes,” wrote researchers from the Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Division of Geriatric Medicine in Turkey.

To investigate whether older adults with depression are at higher risk of sarcopenia and malnutrition, researchers reviewed the medical records of 447 outpatients 65 years or older. For inclusion in the analysis, participants could not have had a clinical diagnosis of dementia, stroke, Parkinson or other neurodegenerative disease, a previous diagnosis of depression, or antidepressant medication use.

Among the 215 patients who met inclusion criteria, 49.3% had depressive symptoms, 36% had malnutrition, and 23% had sarcopenia, the study found.

Older adults with depressive symptoms had poorer cognitive function as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination, which correlated with muscle mass, muscle strength, and nutritional status. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, depressive symptoms were independently associated with low muscle strength, low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and malnutrition.

“Depressive disorders may lead to impaired cognitive dysfunction,” researchers advised. “Older adults at increased risk of sarcopenia and malnutrition should be screened for depression earlier.”

Reference:
Ulugerger Avci G, Suzan V, Bektan Kanat B, et al. Depressive symptoms are associated with sarcopenia and malnutrition in older adults. Psychogeriatrics. 2023;23(1):63-70. doi:10.1111/psyg.12903