Introduction:

Functional limitations associated with the aging process can lead to the development of depressive symptoms and increase the vulnerability of older adults.

Objective:

To estimate the association between physical disability and the incidence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in older Mexican adults.

Materials and methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study with data from the Encuesta Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México (ENASEM). The analytical sample (n=6,780) included adults over 50 years old with measurements for the main variables and no clinically significant depressive symptoms reported in the first round. These symptoms were evaluated with the CESD-9 scale and disability by means of the report of activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models adjusted by sociodemographic variables, health conditions, childhood adversities, social participation, and stressful life events.

Results:

The incidence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 25.75% (95% CI: 24,70 - 26,80). Compared to those without IADL limitations, an increased risk of 68% for the development of clinically significant depressive symptoms was found (95% CI: 1.10-2.57; p= 0,015). With the ADL model, the OR for the development of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 1.36 (1.01 -1.81; p= 0.039). Both models were adjusted by confounding variables.

Conclusion:

Presenting limitations in daily life is an important risk factor for the development of clinically significant depressive symptoms at two years of follow-up.

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