J Affect Disord. 2025 Oct 10:120418. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120418. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Depression often leads to cognitive impairment, which may persist even after depression symptoms have resolved, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this study will evaluate the correlation between depression scores and cognitive function scores based on the results of the patients ≥60 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2623 eligible older adults from the 2011-2014 NHANES database. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale was used to assess the participants’ depressive status, and three tests were used to assess cognitive performance. The study categorized subjects with PHQ-9 scores into a depressive state group and a non-depressive state group. Multifactorial logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate, and curve fitting and threshold effect analyses were performed. Stratified analyses were performed according to age, body mass index (BMI), gender, marital status, and education level.
RESULTS: The study found that depression was associated with CERAD Word Learning Subtest and DSST scores, negatively affecting PHQ-9 scores. Smoothed curve-fitting and threshold effects analyses revealed that they were negatively associated with PHQ-9 scores with an “L-shaped” and a “U-shaped” trend, respectively. Stratified analyses showed PHQ-9 scores were significantly associated with cognitive function in certain individuals, especially in terms of CERAD Word Learning Subtest.
CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between depressive status and cognitive functioning in the older American population, and the correlation varies across populations, with stronger associations between PHQ-9 scores and cognitive performance among those participants.
PMID:41077152 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.120418
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