Cited by 257Frailty in Older AdultsAging, Health, and DisabilityAging and Gerontology Research

Depression and frailty in later life: a synthetic review

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Mezuk, Briana, Edwards, Lauren, Lohman, Matt, Choi, Moon, Lapane, Kate·2012·International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many of the symptoms, consequences, and risk factors for frailty are shared with late-life depression. However, thus far, few studies have addressed the conceptual and empirical interrelationships between these conditions. This review synthesizes existing studies that examined depression and frailty among older adults and provides suggestions for future research. METHODS: A search was conducted using PubMed for publications through 2010. Reviewers assessed the eligibility of each report and abstracted information on study design, sample characteristics, and key findings, including how depression and frailty were conceptualized and treated in the analysis. RESULTS: Of 133 abstracted articles, 39 full-text publications met inclusion criteria. Overall, both cross-sectional (n = 16) and cohort studies (n = 23) indicate that frailty, its components, and functional impairment are risk factors for depression. Although cross-sectional studies indicate a positive association between depression and frailty, findings from cohort studies are less consistent. The majority of studies included only women and non-Hispanic Whites. None used diagnostic measures of depression or considered antidepressant use in the design or analysis of the studies. CONCLUSIONS: A number of empirical studies support for a bidirectional association between depression and frailty in later life. Extant studies have not adequately examined this relationship among men or racial/ethnic minorities, nor has the potential role of antidepressant medications been explored. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of geriatric syndromes such as late-life depression and frailty may promote cross-fertilization of ideas leading to novel conceptualization of intervention strategies to promote health and functioning in later life.

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  • A recent review identified a positive, potentially bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and functional impairment.

    “A recent review identified a positive, and potentially bidirectional, association between depressive symptoms and functional impairment. (Mezuk, Edwards, Lohman, Choi, and Lapane 2012)”

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1 of the 98 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Broe GA Jorm AF Creasey H Impact of chronic systemic and neurological disorders on disability, depression, and life satisfaction Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 1999 14 497 499 10398361
  2. Bruce ML Depression and disability in later life Am J Geriatr Psych 2001 9 102 112 11316615
  3. Fairhall N Aggar C Kirrle SE Frailty Intervention Trial BMC Geriatr 2008 8 27 18851754 PMC2579913
  4. Xue QL Fried LP Glass TA Life-space constriction, development of frailty, and the competing risk of mortality Am J Epidemiol 2008 167 240 17906296

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Authors
Mezuk, B., Edwards, L., Lohman, M., Choi, M., & Lapane, K.
Affiliations
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
  • Department of Epidemiology and Community Health Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Richmond VA USA
Corresponding author
Mezuk, Briana
Venue
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-10-07
Volume
27
Issue
9
Pages
879-892
ISSN
  • 0885-6230 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-1166
OpenAlex
W1589542723
Cited by
257
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5k12hd055881-05, UL1TR000058)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR031990)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K12-HD055881)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Keywords
geriatric depression, frailty, older adults, bidirectional relationship, functional disability, geriatric syndromes, antidepressant use, risk factors, sex differences, racial and ethnic minorities
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies, Frail Elderly, Empirical Research

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