Trait neuroticism, depression, and cognitive function in older primary care patients.
OBJECTIVE
Prior studies on the association of trait neuroticism and cognitive function in older adults have yielded mixed findings. The authors tested hypotheses that neuroticism is associated with measures of cognition and that depression moderates these relationships.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
Primary care offices.


METHODS
Primary care patients aged > or =65 years.


METHODS
Trait neuroticism was assessed by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Major and minor depressions were determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, and depressive symptom severity by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D). Cognitive measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Initiation-Perseveration subscale of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and Trail-Making tests A and B.


RESULTS
In multiple regression analyses, neuroticism was associated with MMSE score independent of depression diagnosis (beta = -0.04, chi2 = 14.2, df = 1, p = 0.0002, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.07 to -0.02) and Ham-D score (beta = -0.04, chi2 = 8.97, df = 1, p = 0.003, 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.01). Interactions between neuroticism and depression diagnosis (chi2 = 7.21, df = 2, p = 0.03) and Ham-D scores (chi2 = 0.55, df = 1, p = 0.46) failed to lend strong support to the moderation hypothesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroticism is associated with lower MMSE scores. Findings do not confirm a moderating role for depression but suggest that depression diagnosis may confer additional risk for poorer global cognitive function in patients with high neuroticism. Further study is necessary.
Boyle
Lisa L
LL
Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry Program, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Lisa_Boyle@urmc.rochester.edu
Lyness
Jeffrey M
JM
Duberstein
Paul R
PR
Karuza
Jurgis
J
King
Deborah A
DA
Messing
Susan
S
Tu
Xin
X
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors