Depression severity and chronic disease risk

Interactive effects on cognitive function and life satisfaction in Chinese middle-aged and older adults

Bibliographic Data

ID22077817
AuthorsBowen Li (0000-0003-4981-0373, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital), Siyu Guan (0000-0001-9631-7878, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital), Chuan Huang (0000-0001-5965-0823, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital), Chen Li (0000-0001-6150-8594), Li Chen (0000-0002-8432-3338, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital), Yiran Du (0000-0002-6576-0073, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital), ChunXiao Wan (0000-0002-6939-5288, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1530513-1530513
Publication date2025-06-24
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530513
PMID40630402
OpenAlexW4411574667
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited26

Introduction: Mental health problems, particularly depression, are intricately linked to chronic diseases and significantly impact overall health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the dose-response relationship between depression severity and risks of heart disease, stroke, and other mental disorders, and to examine the interactive effects of depression and chronic conditions (hypertension and diabetes) on cognitive function, life satisfaction, and episodic memory among Chinese adults aged 45 and above. Methods: Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 13,930 participants aged 45 and above were analyzed across five waves from 2011 to 2020. Depression was measured with the CES-D-10 scale, and participants were grouped based on symptom severity. Logistic regression models were used to examine disease risks, while linear regression models assessed the interactive effects on cognitive outcomes. Results: Logistic regression models showed that higher levels of depression were significantly associated with increased risk of heart disease, while showing more complex relationships with stroke and mental illness risks. Subgroup analysis using linear regression indicated that coexisting conditions like hypertension and diabetes intensified the negative impact of depression on cognitive abilities, life satisfaction, and episodic memory. Discussion: These findings underscore the necessity of integrating mental health management into rehabilitation strategies for patients with chronic illnesses. The study suggests that addressing mental health, particularly among high-risk older adult populations with chronic diseases, may improve recovery outcomes, reduce rehabilitation duration, and enhance quality of life based on the observed associations. This highlights the importance of comprehensive care that combines mental and physical health interventions to optimize rehabilitation outcomes

Cognition · Cognitive decline · Dementia · Disease · Life satisfaction · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Clinical Psychology · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Medicine · Psychology · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery · Gerontology · Internal Medicine · Rehabilitation

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