Malnutrition is associated with depression in Japanese older adults requiring long-term care or support.
Ryo Sato, Yohei Sawaya, Takahiro Shiba and 3 others
PMID 34393368WHAT IT FOUND
Depression scores were significantly linked to malnutrition risk in older adults needing long-term care.
Higher depression scores predicted malnutrition risk. Specific depressive feelings like emptiness and loss of interest were more common in those at nutritional risk.
Key findings
01Higher Geriatric Depression Scale scores were associated with increased odds of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition.
02Participants with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition reported significantly more items related to dropped activities, empty life, poor spirits, fear, staying home, and lack of energy.
03Female gender, higher care needs, and lower BMI were also associated with malnutrition risk.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between depression and malnutrition. Participants with aphasia, dementia, or those under 65 were excluded, limiting generalizability. The study did not measure dietary intake or specific nutrients like folic acid or vitamin B12. Variable increase method was used for regression due to the number of independent variables, which may affect model stability.
Declared interests
None declared. No funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume depression causes malnutrition or vice versa. The study is cross-sectional and only shows an association. It does not prove that treating depression will improve nutritional status.