Inappropriate nutrients intake is associated with lower functional status and inferior quality of life in older adults with depression.
OBJECTIVE
The study is a case-control analysis of whether depression impairs physical and cognitive functioning and quality of life, and whether there is a relationship between nutrient deficiencies and these adverse changes.


METHODS
A total of 130 older subjects participated in the study: 65 with diagnosed depression (16 men and 49 women) and 65 age- and sex-matched controls without depression. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. Nutritional state was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment, cognitive performance was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination and physical functioning by the Timed "Up & Go" test and handgrip strength. The pattern of consumption of various nutrients was analyzed in detail.


RESULTS
The differences in cognitive functioning observed between the groups were related to specific nutrient intake, as was handgrip strength to some extent. The differences in nutritional status, several functional tests and muscle strength were related to both the presence of depression and inappropriate consumption of certain nutrients.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of falls and poor quality of life may be partially associated with the presence of depression. The inappropriate intake of selected nutrients may impair the functioning and quality of life of older adults with depression, such as the excess consumption of sucrose and insufficient consumption of protein, fiber, eicosapentaenoic acid, niacin and vitamin B6. Particular nutrients should be translated into dietary patterns which allow the individual patient to address these nutrient deficiencies.
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Agnieszka
A
Guligowska
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Małgorzata
M
Pigłowska
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Elizaveta
E
Fife
Department of Physical Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Joanna
J
Kostka
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Bartłomiej K
BK
Sołtysik
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Łukasz
Ł
Kroc
Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Tomasz
T
Kostka
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011044:Poland; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
aging; cognitive function; depression; nutrition; quality of life; sucrose