OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ADL disability affects the risk of onset of depressive symptoms and the role of possible confounding variables in this relation.

METHODSThe data was obtained from the Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-based cohort study of 3,257 elderly, aged 55 through 99 years, who were assessed four time at an 8-year interval. ADL disability and depressive symptoms were assessed by self-reported measures.

RESULTSCompared with non-disabled persons, the disabled persons were associated with an increased risk of onset depression (RR=7.28 for urban, R=2.22 for non-urban). Although an adjustment for possible confounders reduced the risk for depression association with the disability, the detrimental effect of disability remained significantly present. This excess risk is partly explained by the lower satisfation with economy and poor perceived health status of the disabled elderly.

CONCLUSIONSDisability among elderly may significantly increase the risk for depressive symptoms.